Dian Kuswandini, Jakarta – The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the state ministry bill, which limits the number of ministries to 34 and allows ministers to have deputies. The passage ends a three-year deadlock in deliberations over the bill.

During the deliberation process, the House had proposed a limit to the number of ministries to only 25.

"The bill is expected to push for bureaucratic reforms by limiting the number of ministries for a more efficient and effective presidential system," House Speaker Agung Laksono told a plenary session to endorse the new law.

Agun Gunandjar Sudarsa, head of the House's special committee deliberating the bill, said the new law forbade the president from naming state ministries they would set up.

"However, the ministries of defense, home affairs and legal affairs must stay in the Cabinet and cannot be dissolved because they are already recognized in our Constitution," he said.

The bill obliges the president to consult with the House before merging, separating or dissolving certain ministerial offices.

"The president must also obtain approval from the House to dissolve the ministries of justice, finance, religious affairs and security," Agun said.

The bill also requires the president to set up their own Cabinet within 14 working days after being sworn in.

To better deal with special tasks, the bill will allow the president to appoint deputy ministers.

Agun said the House had dropped a stipulation barring ministers from also leading political parties.

"The House wanted ministers to maintain their professionalism, but the government rejected this idea.

"We finally dropped the idea, considering the president would need support from political parties in order to establish a strong Cabinet," Agun said.

The bill leaves the president the choice of whether to allow ministers to also serve as leaders of political parties.

"However, a minister is not allowed to have a second job in other departments, state-owned or private companies and organizations financed by the government," Agun said.

Under the bill, a Cabinet member will be suspended from their post should they face a criminal charge with a minimum prison sentence of five years.

"Once a minister is brought to trial as a defendant, they must be temporarily dismissed," Agun said.