Sjamsoeddin, who arrived at the ministry’s meeting hall at 3 p.m. Jakarta time, was introduced as acting minister by Deputy Coordinating Minister Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus.
He shook hands with all participants who had awaited his arrival in the meeting room. Among those present was the ministry’s secretary, Lieutenant General Mohammad Hassan.
After a brief introduction, the meeting continued behind closed doors.
President Prabowo Subianto had relieved Budi Gunawan of his post as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs in a cabinet reshuffle announced on Monday (September 8).
However, no successor was named during the inauguration of new ministers at the Presidential Palace Complex. Gunawan was also absent from the ceremony.
According to State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, the president opted to appoint an acting minister as he has yet to decide on a permanent replacement.
On the reasons for Gunawan’s dismissal, Hadi clarified that it was not linked to specific issues, such as last month’s protests and riots in several Indonesian cities.
“The decision was not driven by one particular factor; it was part of the president’s comprehensive evaluation,” Hadi said.
He also declined to name potential candidates for the post. “Please wait for the official announcement,” he added.
On Monday, Prabowo inaugurated four new ministers: Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Migrant Workers Protection Minister Mukhtarudin, Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono, and Hajj and Umrah Minister Irfan Yusuf Hasyim.
Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak was sworn in as deputy minister of the newly established Hajj and Umrah Ministry, which will take over pilgrimage duties from the Religious Affairs Ministry beginning next year.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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