JAKARTA – Outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday he has appointed people close to his successor in a cabinet reshuffle, including new energy and investment ministers, two months before he is due to step down.
Jokowi, as the president is commonly known, will leave office in October, replaced by President-elect and current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who won the election in February.
Most of the new appointments are close to Mr. Prabowo.
Bahlil Lahadalia, formerly the investment minister, will be the new energy minister, while former Ambassador to the United States Rosan Roeslani will be the new investment minister.
Both men campaigned for Mr. Prabowo during his presidential run.
Mr. Bahlil later said he would prioritize working on incentives to promote efforts to reactivate idle energy wells and reverse the decline in Indonesia’s crude oil output.
When ministers were asked if they would remain in office when Mr. Prabowo assumes his role, Mr. Bahlil said it is up to him.
OTHER PRABOWO AIDES
Mr. Jokowi also named Dadan Hindayana, a professor at Bogor Agricultural Ministry and a member of Prabowo’s campaign team, to head the new National Nutrition Agency, tasked with executing Prabowo’s “Free Nutritious Meals” program which will give free meals to millions of students.
Mr. Dadan said, as reported in local media, the food program will start on January 2 next year.
Hasan Nasbi, a spokesperson for Prabowo, has been appointed the head of the presidential communications body.
The appointments “are needed to prepare and support the government transition so it works well, smooth, and effectively,” said Ari Dwipayana, a presidential palace official, in a statement. – Reuters
