President Joko Widodo of Indonesia has his sight on the country’s young professionals. Expressing his interest to designate young talent to his next cabinet, he believes in what the young generation could offer. Moreover, he reminds the significance of adjusting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Following his win in the presidential election, the Indonesian president, popularly known as Jokowi, expressed his plans to appoint young professionals for key positions in the following 5 years. This year, Jokowi’s government is looking to focus on developing Indonesia’s human resources. Believing that it has the potential to be competitive, the president also sees the young age could help in achieving it.
Several names have emerged to fill different cabinet positions. One name that has recently been mentioned by Widodo himself is Bahlil Lahadalia, chairman of the Association of Young Indonesian Businessmen (HIPMI). “The way I see it, Bahlil is suitable to be a minister. He has good social skills and is very smart,” Jokowi said at an event conducted by the association. During his speech, he reiterated that he needs people for his cabinet who can deliver and execute programs.
Indonesia’s House of Representatives will provide the president with strong support for his initiatives. Projections showed that political parties that back him will occupy about 60 percent of the seats in the legislature.
Other names have also emerged to fill several cabinet positions including 36-year-old Indonesian Solidarity Party chairman Grace Natalie and Sandiaga Uno, 49, who is from the opposition camp.
However, president Jokowi’s plan to appoint young talent doesn’t seem to interest his own Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. The party’s secretary general believes capability, quality and readiness should be the top requirements.
Lawsuit
Widodo’s rival candidate, Prabowo Subianto, is trying to disrupt his reign by filing a lawsuit against him. Subianto claimed that the election held on April 17, 2019, was rigged in favor of Jokowi. President Widodo and his running-mate Ma’ruf Amin won the elections with 55.5 percent of the votes vs their rivals’ 44.5 percent.
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