Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – The newly inaugurated House of Representatives members will have 13 commissions, two more than the previous term, to accommodate the planned cabinet expansion under Prabowo Subianto, who will assume presidency later this month.
Representative Said Abdullah of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said on Thursday the increase in the number of commissions has been agreed by all political parties.
"We have agreed to have a total of 13 commissions whose partners will be determined later when all ministries are already confirmed by the president-elect based on the government needs," Said Abdullah said at the legislature building in Jakarta.
House members will hold a series of meetings next week to discuss the coverage of each commission and identify ministries and state agencies that will become their respective working partners.
Political allies and executives of Prabowo's Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) have indicated that his cabinet may have a total of 40 ministries and state agencies, up from currently 34.
For instance, the Taxation Directorate which currently under the Finance Ministry will become a separate entity called the State Revenue Ministry.
However, Prabowo has not publicly spoken in detail about the cabinet expansion.