The Making of the Cabinet

Luhut Panjaitan has apparently quieted down since new President Joko Widodo declined to name him a minister. When Tempo asked to interview him last week, the retired general replied with only one word. "Watimpres," he said over the phone. Then he hung up.

It was a reference to Luhut's title in the new administration, as a deputy on the Presidential Advisory Council, a position known as 'watimpres', instead of the head of the president's office, as some had speculated. Andi Widjajanto, who was appointed secretary of Joko's working cabinet, did not explain Luhut's position. As for who would head the president's office, "The decision is with the president," Andi said after meeting Luhut in his office at the Wisma Bakrie building in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

November 4, 2014