"Nasdem has grabbed more votes in the House of Representatives (DPR) than those of the PKB in the recent parliamentary elections, so it is eligible to propose that it secure 11 ministerial posts," Taufiqulhadi stated on Wednesday.
He noted that despite an official deliberation on cabinet issues yet to be held, Nasdem could maintain its seats in Jokowi's current working cabinet.
This party's electability rate in the 2019 Parliamentary Elections was higher than that recorded in the 2014 General Elections. Hence, more of its ministers could be taken up in the upcoming cabinet, he remarked.
He suggested that PKB leader Muhaimin Iskandar should desist from publicly announcing his party's keenness to obtain 10 ministerial posts and instead discuss his party's proposal with Jokowi at a meeting.
Speaking in connection with the issue of this cabinet line-up, a top politician of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) urged Jokowi to recruit candidates capable of improving and advancing Indonesia's economic performance.
Mardani Ali Sera highlighted the need to appoint capable cabinet members based on the fact that Indonesia's economic growth rate in the first five-year term of the Jokowi leadership had to be evaluated.
With the presence of adept economic ministers in Jokowi's future cabinet line-up, the government is expected to create more jobs and boost its performance in increasing the exports of domestic products and foreign investment inflows, he stated.
Capable candidates to be absorbed in his future cabinet should not merely be elites of political parties but also those from outside political parties, Sera, currently chairman of the PKS Central Executive Board, noted.
Moreover, Jokowi has been advised to prioritize bright youth, women, people with disabilities, and those hailing from remote areas, he remarked, adding that those in Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan have the right to get representation in the cabinet.
However, they should be recruited by not overlooking key aspects, such as their integrity, track records, and capabilities, he added.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) had officially announced on Sunday that Jokowi and his running mate, Ma'ruf Amin, were the president-elect and vice president-elect of Indonesia following the Constitutional Court's (MK's) final ruling.
Translator: Imam B, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
