Megawati ‘will not be’ in Jokowi advisory council

JAKARTA. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is currently vetting a number of high-profile politicians for a position in the nine-member body called the Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres), which is mandated by the Constitution.

Speculation is rife that Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri has been tapped to become one of members.

Members of Jokowi’s inner circle, however, were quick to counter the speculation.

Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto denied it, saying that a political party leader would not be eligible to take a seat on the board.

“According to the regulation [the 2006 Wantimpres Law], Wantimpres [members] should not hold any other position, including one in a political party. Since Ibu Mega [Megawati] is still a political party leader, she will not be appointed as a member of the Wantimpres,” Andi said.

Andi said Jokowi had until Jan. 20 to decide the members of the Wantimpres.

The 2006 law stipulates that the president must form the Wantimpres at least three months after his or her inauguration.

Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, who is a PDI-P politician, said he was not aware if Megawati had been nominated as one of members of Jokowi’s Wantimpres.

Interim PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said Megawati would not join Jokowi’s advisory board.

“Ibu Mega will not be a member of the Wantimpres,” said Hasto, adding that the PDI-P would leave the decision to Jokowi.

Andi also declined to give more details about potential candidates nominated for the board and their backgrounds.

“It is the President’s prerogative to decide the members of the Wantimpres and we will only prepare the necessary paperwork,” he said.

Separately, State Secretary Pratikno revealed that potential candidates could come from political parties and social organizations.

Pratikno also declined to give details on the candidates for the board.

Jokowi is also selecting candidates to sit in the newly established Presidential Working Unit led by Luhut Binsar Panjaitan.

Last week, Jokowi swore in Luhut, a retired general and former advisor to Jokowi’s presidential election campaign team, as head of the unit, which many deem equivalent to the presidential chief of staff.

Pratikno said Luhut’s unit would not overlap with the Wantimpres.

“The [establishment of the] Wantimpres is mandated by the Constitution, which orders the board to give advice to the president. Yet the board does not function on a daily basis. So it does not directly support the president. While [the Presidential Working Unit] provides direct assistance to the president,” Pratikno said.

The Presidential Working Unit, which is expected to have three to five deputies, will help Jokowi identify strategic issues the country is dealing with, as well as serve as a conduit for the President’s public relations.

Pratikno confirmed on Wednesday that two experts — constitutional law expert Refly Harun and Gadjah Mada University political analyst Ari Dwipayana — would soon join the ministry as his special aides.

“Yes, the two of them have been appointed,” Pratikno said, adding that Refly would be a special aide for legal affairs and Ari political matters. (Ina Parlina)