Ichsan Ali, Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo admitted that he had met with some leaders of pro-government political parties last month. However, the president denied that they had discussed another cabinet shake-up.
"I met them [political party leaders], but we did not talk of the cabinet reshuffle," Jokowi told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday. Jokowi did not go into details on which party leaders he had met.
Jokowi's remarks came after local media reported that Jokowi had gathered some party leaders at the Jakarta Presidential Palace in late May. However, the reports claimed that Jokowi was eyeing to replace unsupportive ministers this month.
Some party leaders reportedly told Jokowi that a cabinet reshuffle was unnecessary as Jokowi's term would come to an end this October, and be succeeded by Prabowo Subianto.
The last cabinet shake-up took place in February. Jokowi at the time appointed Hadi Tjahjanto as the chief security affairs minister. Hadi replaced Mahfud MD, who resigned from his ministerial post to focus on being the running mate to presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo.
Prior to taking over Mahfud's role, Hadi was the minister for agrarian affairs. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the chair of the Democratic party, assumed Hadi's former post at the agrarian affairs ministry. Agus is also the son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.