"I have heard that he could be appointed defense minister. Yes, it is because of his competence in the field of defense.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Prabowo Subianto, Gerindra Party chairman, is the right person to become defense minister as he is competent in defense affairs, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairman Bambang Soesatyo believes. "I have heard that he could be appointed defense minister. Yes, it is because of his competence in the field of defense," the senior politician of Golkar Party said here Tuesday.

He expressed the hope that Indonesia would have a strong defense system and be respected in Asia and globally.

He had not heard any dissent to Subianto’s appointment, and there have been many voices supporting the retired general, the former House Speaker said.

"This includes the competence of Edhy Prabowo of Gerindra in the agriculture sector," he remarked, referring to the likely appointment of the Gerindra deputy chairman, as agriculture minister.

Subianto also has experience in agricultural affairs as he is a former chairman of the Indonesian Farmer Association (HKTI).

When the MPR leadership invited Subianto to the presidential inauguration on October 20, he revealed his vision and views on agricultural development and efforts to make Indonesia a self-reliant country.

"So, in my opinion, if Gerindra is involved in the agriculture sector, it is not empty talk, as they have a concept that I have seen is as an extraordinarily good one," he said.

Subianto, a former commander of the Indonesian Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) and rival of Jokowi during the two consecutive presidential elections in 2014 and 2019, accepted Jokowi's offer. His deputy, Prabowo is likely to be appointed a minister, too.

Soesatyo echoed Jokowi’s keenness for political reconciliation for stability during his subsequent five-year term by appointing Subianto.

"I think what is taking place these days, including the presence of Prabowo, is a political reconciliation that Jokowi is making for the stability of the government in the next five years," Soesatyo remarked.

Reconciliation has taken place in the Parliament, and it is further strengthened in the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin government's cabinet, he pointed out. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE

Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019