"Mr. President has allowed me to complete my duty as the Asian Games' chief-de-mission," he informed journalists here on Wednesday shortly after being sworn-in as the minister to replace Asman Abnur, who resigned from his ministerial post.
Syafruddin said he will prioritize his duty at the multi-sport event, due to be held in Jakarta and Palembang, the capital city of South Sumatra Province, from August 18 to September 2, before fully focusing on his ministerial tasks.
"I will firstly focus on the Asian Games, as it will begin within days," Syafruddin, widely known as the deputy chief of the country's National Police, noted before being appointed as the cabinet member.
When questioned about what he would do at his ministry, he remarked that all programs that his predecessor had earlier planned would remain a priority.
To this end, he will immediately meet with all deputies and key staff members to seek their views, Syafruddin, who will lead the ministry until the end of the Widodo administration`s term in October 2019, stated.
Syafruddin earlier informed Antara that he had yet to receive information on the figure, who will take over his position as the deputy chief of Indonesia's National Police after being sworn-in as the cabinet member.
"I do not know who becomes my successor," he stated.
The swearing-in ceremony for Syafruddin was conducted on Wednesday. Born in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, on April 12, 1961, he has a remarkable career in the country`s National Police.
During his career, Syafruddin has also been appointed to be the aide of Vice President Jusuf Kalla during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration in 2004.
Minister/State Secretary Pratikno had noted earlier that the reshuffle was "a consequence of dynamism in the political coalition" in the wake of next year`s presidential race.
The National Mandate Party (PAN) had once joined the coalition in support of the incumbent president, commonly known as Jokowi. Hence, the party's cadre, Asmar Abnur, was appointed to be the cabinet member.
However, PAN has shifted its political stance in the wake of the 2019 Presidential Election by officially supporting the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair, rival of the incumbent head of state with his running mate, Ma'ruf Amin.
As the cadre of the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle, Jokowi's presidential nomination is backed by the Megawati Soekarnoputri-led party and eight other political parties.
The eight parties are the PPP, Golkar Party, National Democratic Party, National Awakening Party, the United Indonesia Party, the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party, and Indonesia Solidarity Party.
Pratikno said President Jokowi was in fact pleased with the performance of Abnur as the minister of bureaucratic reforms.
"In terms of his performance as the minister of bureaucratic reforms, Pak (Mr.) Asman Abnur is good and satisfactory," he noted.
Reporting by Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga
Editing by Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
