Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has confirmed that its Chairperson, Megawati Soekarnoputri, fully accepts President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's decision to remove two PDIP ministers from the cabinet.

According to PDIP politician Said Abdullah, Megawati had entrusted Yasonna Laoly and Arifin Tasrif to serve as ministers, leaving the decision to retain or replace them entirely to the President.

"Madam Megawati instructed us to uphold the decisions of the Party Congress with the utmost integrity. If she wanted to, as the party leader with prerogative rights, she could have withdrawn those ministers from the start, but she didn't. Why? Because Megawati, as the chairperson, respected the mandate of the Congress," Said explained during a press conference at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday.

Said emphasized that Megawati abides by the constitution and the Party Congress's mandate, which states that the appointment of cabinet ministers is the President's prerogative. He added that PDIP is committed to supporting President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin's administration until the end of their term on Oct. 20.

"In our national life and in the administration of government, we are guided by the constitution. When a president decides to replace ministers, it is entirely within the president's prerogative, whether based on subjective or objective considerations," Said elaborated.

He further noted that from the outset, PDIP's cadre ministers were instructed to serve Jokowi's administration with sincerity, dedication, and maximum effort.

"If the President decides to make changes along the way, we fully respect and accept that decision," Said concluded.

Two PDIP ministers, Yasonna Laoly and Arifin Tasrif, were replaced in a recent cabinet reshuffle as President Jokowi's administration nears its end. Yasonna was replaced by Gerindra politician Andi Supratman Agtas as Minister of Law and Human Rights, while Bahlil Lahadalia took over as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, replacing Arifin Tasrif. Arifin has declared himself as an independent with no political party affiliate but his past appointment was reportedly based on PDI-P's recommendation.

Yasonna expressed gratitude to President Jokowi Widodo for entrusting him with a ministerial role for the past decade, as he stepped down from his position on Monday. "I told him, 'Mr. President, thank you for the trust and opportunity you gave me to serve as the Minister of Justice and Human Rights'," Yasonna said as he bid farewell to his colleagues.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/megawati-accepts-jokowis-decision-to-replace-pdip-minister