JAKARTA
Indonesian President Joko Widodo named his first cabinet in a press conference Sunday, including the country’s first female foreign minister among eight women ministers.
The announcement was delayed several times as the country’s corruption watchdog vetted each potential minister, rejecting eight.
The 34 ministers, a mix of professions, technocrats and politicans, will be inaugurated Monday, followed by the first cabinet meeting.
Widodo, known as Jokowi, has mostly avoided appointing anyone tarnished by human rights abuses, although Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, who was army chief of staff under former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, has been criticized by rights groups for his hardline stance against separatists.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, ambassador to the Netherlands until she was selected for the cabinet, will play a vital role in Widodo’s cabinet given his lack of foreign policy experience.
Sofyan Djalil, previously state enterprises minister for Widodo’s predecessor, has been named as economy minister.
Speaking at the Merdeka Palace, Widodo said the cabinet had been selected “carefully and meticulously.”
Wearing white shirts and black trousers, as usually worn Widodo and symbols of simplicity and hard work, the new ministers lined up for the announcement.
"We choose [ministers] who have capability in the field… good leadership and good managerial abilities," Widodo added.
The new government faces huge challenges in cutting fuel subsidies, reducing bureaucracy, curbing corruption and launching infrastructure projects.
Triyono Lukmantoro, a political analyst at Diponegoro University, Semarang, said he was disappointed at the inclusion of ministers with close links to former President Megawati Sukarnoputeri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and the daughter of Indonesia’s first President Sukarno.
He said Human Development and Socio-Cultural Coordinator Puan Maharani and Rini Soemarno, minister for state enterprises were particularly closed to Megawati, who ruled from 2001 to 2004.
"They too close to Megawati,” he said. “Puan is even her daughter. The inclusion of these two names makes it appear that Megawati has great control of the new government.
“Nevertheless, Jokowi is right to choose ministers from professional backgrounds. In addition to having a good track record, they are also clean and experts in their fields.”
The appointments are:
1. Security: Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno
2. Economy: Sofyan Djalil
3. Human Development and Socio-Cultural Coordinator: Puan Maharani
4. Maritime Coordinator: Indroyono Soesilo
5. Domestic Affairs: Tjahjo Kumolo
6. Foreign Affairs: Retno Marsudi
7. Defence: Ryamizard Ryacudu
8. Justice and Human Rights: Yasonna Laoly
9. Finance: Bambang Brodjonegoro
10. Mines and Energy: Sudirman Said
11. Industry: Saleh Husin
12. Trade: Rahmat Gobel
13. Agriculture: Amran Sulaiman
14. State Secretary: Pratikno
15. Transportation: Ignasius Jonan
16. Fisheries: Susi Pudjiastuti
17. Manpower and Transmigration: Puan Maharani
18. Public Works: Hanif Dhakiri
19. Health: Nila Moeloek
20. Education: Anies Baswedan
21. Social Services: Khofifah Indar Parawansa
22. Religion: Lukman Hakim Saifuddin
23. Culture and Tourism: Arief Yahya
24. Communications and Information: Rudiantara
25. Research, Technology and High Education: M Nasir
26. Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises: AA Gede Ngurah Puspayoga
27. Environment: Siti Nurbaya
28. Womens' Empowerment and Child Protection: Yohana Yembise
29. Administrative Reform: Yuddy Chrisnandi
30. Disadvantaged Regions: Marwan Jafar
31. National Development Planning: Andrinof Chaniago
32. State Enterprises: Rini Soemarno
33. Youth and Sport: Imam Nachrowi
34. Public Housing: Basuki Hadimuljono
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