President Appoints Tito Karnavian as Acting Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs

The President appointed Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian as Acting Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs considering seniority and professionalism.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Presiden Tunjuk Tito Karnavian sebagai Pelaksana Tugas Menko Polhukam

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

President Joko Widodo handed over digital versions of the budget implementation plan for ministries/agencies and allocation of transfers to regions for the fiscal year 2024 at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (November 29, 2023). The symbolic handover was done by pressing a button. The President was accompanied by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian (left), Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati (second from right), and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — President Joko Widodo signed a presidential decree regarding the honorable dismissal of Mahfud MD as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian was appointed as Acting Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

President Joko Widodo signed Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 20/P of 2024 on Friday (2/2/2024), said the Coordinator of the President's Special Staff, Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Ari Dwipayana, in Jakarta. This also formally accepted the resignation of Mahfud, which was submitted to the President one day earlier at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

"The appointment of Mr. Tito Karnavian as Acting Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Advanced Indonesia Cabinet until there is a definitive Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs," said Ari.

Also read: Mahfud MD's track record of helping Jokowi to resign from the Cabinet

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

President's Special Staff Coordinator Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Ari Dwipayana provided a statement to journalists at the Office of the Ministry of State Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday (2/2/2024).

As for President's consideration in choosing Tito, according to Ari, it must have been based on various aspects, including seniority. Tito also has a long professional track record regarding security and cooperation with other institutions. "Mr. Tito is one of the senior ministers in the ranks of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs," said Ari.

On the other hand, according to him, Prabowo Subianto is considered busy and has many tasks, so he will not become the Acting Minister of Home Affairs and Security.

The President's consideration in choosing Tito was due to his seniority and long professional track record in security and cooperation with other institutions.

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

President Joko Widodo answered questions from the media during a press conference following the opening of the 16th GP Ansor Congress at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta on Friday (2/2/2024).

Previously, on Friday morning, President Jokowi said that on Thursday (1/2/2024), Mahfud MD had submitted his resignation letter. "And, this morning we prepared the presidential decree," said President Jokowi.

When asked for his opinion on whether Mahfud's decision to resign was reasonable, the Head of State replied, "Yes, it is normal in...." President Jokowi did not continue his sentence.

Regarding the replacement of Mahfud, President Jokowi on Friday morning still responded by asking to wait for two to three days. "No, it was just yesterday afternoon. Give it a day, two days, three days," he said.

Also read: Mahfud MD Submits Resignation Letter

President Jokowi also gave a similar answer regarding the question regarding the background of Mahfud's replacement. When asked whether the replacement would have ad interim or definitive status, the President answered, "Yes, we'll see."

KOMPAS/DIAN DEWI PURNAMASARI

Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Coordinator Mahfud MD bid farewell to employees and civil servant officers by shaking hands at the Kemenko Polhukam yard on Friday (2/2/2024). Mahfud bid farewell after officially resigning to the President a day before.

When asked about those who linked Mahfud MD's resignation with the cabinet's solidity, President Jokowi stated that the cabinet is in normal condition.

Also read: Mahfud's attitude in resigning from his position could be an example

"The cabinet is just ordinary. Nothing special, no problem. Those who work, work. Those who go to the regions, go to the regions. It's the same for me. I have meetings in Jakarta, I visit the regions. Sometimes there are invitations like this morning's invitation, the 16th Congress of GP Ansor," he said.

Also read: President Jokowi Invites Election Success, Without Asserting Honesty and Fairness

President Jokowi gave the same response when asked about the mention of discomfort within the cabinet. "It's just normal. Differences in opinion are a part of democracy, it doesn't need to be exaggerated," he said.

Information gathered states that on Friday morning at around 09:30, after President Jokowi's agenda at the opening of the 16th GP Ansor Congress, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian was summoned by the President at the Merdeka Palace, accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno. (Note: PKS translation has been retained as it is a forbidden word)

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

State Secretary Minister Pratikno (left) along with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD after giving a statement to the press regarding the submission of a resignation letter as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs to President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Thursday (1/2/2024).

Mahfud MD has resigned with a letter that contains three things. Firstly, a statement of thanks to President Jokowi for appointing him as Minister of Politics, Law and Security on October 23, 2019. Secondly, the letter also contains a request for resignation from the cabinet. In addition, Mahfud also apologized if there were problems that were not carried out properly.