The inauguration of the new state apparatus utilization and bureaucracy reform minister is expected to take place concurrently with the groundbreaking ceremony for the State Palace in new capital Nusantara, according to the Presidential Secretariat.
“There will be two (events), God Willing, those will be the groundbreaking of the State Palace development and the inauguration of the new minister. Yet the final decision will be on the President himself,” Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono informed at the Presidential Palace complex here on Wednesday.
The ministerial position is currently occupied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, on an acting basis. He assumed charge after the previous incumbent, Tjahjo Kumolo, passed away last July.
The exact date for the inauguration has not been finalized yet due to the President’s tight schedule, Hartono said.
“The President has a tight schedule because he earlier departed for Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul, and must prepare necessary matters. Despite just returning from Europe, the President must prepare for the August 17 (ceremony) and the state address. We hope he has the time to select the new minister he preferred,” the presidential secretariat head added.
The names of ministerial candidates to replace the late Kumolo have been submitted to the President, Hartono informed.
“This will also be in the domain of the state secretariat minister and the cabinet secretariat. Just pray that he has the time needed,” he said.
He also confirmed that the President’s schedule after the 77th independence commemoration ceremony on August 17 will remain tight.
“Tomorrow, he will visit Karawang (West Java). In August end, (he will) visit the eastern (Indonesia) region, but before the trip’s conclusion, he will visit the new capital,” Hartono informed.
Source: Antara News