"I came here to convey directives, which include the organizational revitalization of the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs," he told reporters after chairing his first coordination meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He made the remarks in response to a question on President Prabowo Subianto's instructions for him as acting coordinating minister. However, he did not elaborate on the scope of the planned structural changes.
According to Sjamsoeddin, the president has granted him authority to take necessary steps to improve the ministry's effectiveness and efficiency and streamline coordination among ministries and agencies under its purview.
Under former minister Gunawan, the coordinating ministry oversaw several executive desks tasked with handling specific issues, such as forest and land fires, drug abuse and trafficking, corruption, and the protection of Indonesian migrant workers.
Sjamsoeddin stopped short of confirming whether the coordinating ministry would retain these desks.
"My priorities here are to assign roles, tasks, and functions to deputies, expert staff, the ministry secretary, and the deputy coordinating minister," he said.
President Prabowo dismissed Budi Gunawan from his post as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs in a cabinet reshuffle announced on Monday.
No successor was named during the inauguration of new ministers at the Presidential Palace that day, while Gunawan was absent from the ceremony.
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the president appointed an acting minister because he has yet to decide on a definitive replacement.
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Translator: Walda M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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