It was President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who appointed him due to his achievements, he told journalists after being sworn-in as the cabinet member to replace Asman Abnur who resigned from his ministerial post.
"It is for sure that Widodo appointed me," he stated, in response to the journalists` question on whether or not Kalla had intervened in his appointment process.
Born in Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, on April 12, 1961, Syafruddin has a remarkable career in the country`s National Police.
During his career, he, for instance, had been appointed to be the aide of Kalla during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration in 2004.
Apart from his past connection with Kalla, Syafruddin reiterated that he has never gained promotion because someone has recommended him.
Instead, many state officials know well about his achievements during 33 years of his career in the country`s National Police, he remarked.
Syafruddin`s appointment to fill the ministerial post is related to what Minister/State Secretary Pratikno called "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 Jokowi. Therefore, 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 (PDIP), 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 (Nasdem), National Awakening Party (PKB), The United Indonesia Party (Perindo), the Indonesian Justice and Unity Partys (PKPI), and Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI).
Pratikno revealed that Jokowi was actually pleased with the performance of Abnur as the minister of bureaucratic reforms. "Pak (Mr.) Abnur?s performance as the minister of bureaucratic reforms was satisfactory," he noted.
Reported by Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga
Edited by Rahmad Nasution, Sri Haryati
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
