President Jokowi Urged to Include Opposition Parties in Reshuffled Cabinet

Sliding approval in public-opinion polls was pointed out as a sign for Widodo to inject 'fresh blood' to his cabinet. (Photo source: Cabinet Secretary website)

Jakarta, GIVnews.com – A senior official of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) on Sunday (28/6) urged President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo to include cadres from opposition parties if he is to reshuffle the cabinet this July, according to speculations. The PDI-P politician said that such an inclusion aims to end the prevailing tensions at the House of Representatives (DPR) between the PDI-P-led coalition of parties (KIH) and the Red and White Coalition (KMP).

Jokowi's government would easily win support from DPR if KMP cadres are given seats in the cabinet, PDI-P vice secretary general Ahmad Basarah told reporters at his party's headquarters in South Jakarta.

(Read more: Cabinet Reshuffle for the People or the Parties?)

"If Pak Jokowi wants to reshuffle his cabinet, in our opinion (he should be aware that) the need for political support in the parliament is a real need," Ahmad Basarah said as reported by Detik.com.

Basarah pointed out that at this time the number KIH seats at DPR is smaller than that of KMP's. Ideally, the number of DPR members from KIH should be 50 percent plus one, the PDI-P politician  noted.

Currently, of the 560 DPR seats, only 207 go to the PDI-P-led coalition while the KMP holds 314 seats. The KIH also comprises of three other parties namely National Awakening Party (PKB), National Democrat Party (Nasdem) and People's Conscience Party (Hanura). The PDI-P led coalition took the lead in supporting Jokowi in last year's presidential election. Meanwhile, the KMP coalition of opposition parties comprises of the Great Indonesia Party (Gerindra), Golkar Party and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto narrowly lost to Jokowi in the 2014 presidential election.

(Read more: VP Jusuf Kalla Says Cabinet Reshuffle Imminent, President Jokowi Remains Tight-Lipped)

Ahmad Basarah also said on Sunday that Jokowi's cabinet reshuffle should focus on economic ministerial posts.

Jokowi inaugurated his cabinet last November. However, 100 days later it was viewed as performing poorly, which incited public calls for an immediate cabinet revamp. While Jokowi remains tight-lipped, Vice President Jusuf Kalla had said repetitively that the cabinet would be reshuffled. Furthermore, many speculate that Jokowi will perform such cabinet reshuffle this July, after the Idhul Fitri Holiday.

Source: President Jokowi Urged to Include Opposition Parties in Reshuffled Cabinet