Amid President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s plan to reshuffle his cabinet, several parties under government’s rival coalition gave the signal to support the government. Speaking at the National Leaders’ Meeting held on July 4, 2015, in Jakarta, Democratic Party chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono instructed his cadres to support government’s policies.
Susilo reiterated that regional head candidates nominated by the Democrat Party must support the central government and criticize bad policies.
“The criticism must be communicated appropriately and measurably,” Susilo said.
Ruhut Sitompul, the head of political, legal and security affairs at the Democrat Party, said that he would respect Jokowi’s decision asking cadres of the party to join the Working Cabinet. Ruhut believes that Jokowi would be able to recognize the party’s cadres who support the government.
Yandri Susanto, deputy chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said that his party’s stance would depend on Jokowi’s offer. Yandri claimed that the country’s sluggish economy was the main reason of PAN to offer help for Jokowi.
Meanwhile, PAN chairman Zulkifli Hasan preferred not to comment on the possibility of his party to join the government.
“We should wait and see after the Eid holiday,” he said.
TEMPO
