Rini's New Role

JOKO Widodo's breakthrough in establishing a transition team to prepare for the new government is commendable. This entity is seen as important, to ensure that the president-elect and his deputy, Jusuf Kalla, will be able to hit the ground running following their inauguration in October. But he faces a tough challenge during this transition period: forming the best cabinet to implement the programs that were promised during the campaign.

Jokowi should not worry about discordant views-especially those from the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa camp-charging that forming this transition team is unethical, given that the result of the presidential election is still being challenged at the Constitutional Court. With no intention to undermine the ongoing legal process, Jokowi and Kalla have the right to establish a team to consolidate their work program.

August 12, 2014