Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Cabinet secretary Pramono Anung said here on Wednesday that a number of politicians inducted by the president in his new cabinet were professionals in their respective fields.

"For example, General (retd) Wiranto, set to become the Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs...is an experienced hand who dealt with a variety of issues during his tenure at a critical time," Pramono Anung said when asked to comment on the cabinet line-up while he was at the presidential palace compound.

He pointed out that Wiranto was the Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs during the government of the late President Abdurrahman Wahid and had played a very important role during the transitional period from the New Order government (of then President Suharto) to the reform era. He is now the general chairman of the Peoples Conscience Party (Hanura).

Enggartiasto Lukita, he continued, was a member of the House of Representatives before he was named the new trade minister to take over from Thomas Lembong.

Enggartiasto used to be the chief of the Real Estate Indonesia and has a lot of political experience as a former member of the Golkar Party and is now an executive of the National Democrat Party (Nasdem).

"Enggartiasto has been given the responsibility by the President to tackle trade problems, especially in food commodities, which the President pays much attention to," Pramono stated.

With regard to Airlangga Hartartos appointment, he recalled that Hartarto had been the chairman of House Commission VI from 2009 to 2014 dealing with industrial, trade, small and medium companies, investment and state-owned companies' affairs.

"We believe Airlangga Hartarto is one of the initiators of the industry law and understands well the task that the President has entrusted him with," he noted.

Referring to Asman Abnur from the National Mandate Party (PAN), Pramono Anung stressed, "Certainly, it is hoped that under his leadership, bureaucratic reforms would run better and he will coordinate with us. Hopefully, he will bring a change in the ministry of bureaucratic and administrative reforms."

President Joko Widodo has named him a minister of empowerment of state apparatus and bureaucratic reforms to replace Yuddi Chrisnandi.

President Joko Widodo has named some old and new figures in a cabinet shake-up he announced on Wednesday morning, including Wiranto and Sri Mulyani. Sri Mulyani was assigned to a post she held earlier, that of the finance minister.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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