Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung:
Palace relations with the political forces must be maintained

President Joko Widodo had good reasons to send Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, 52, to meet protesting labor union members last September 1. He is, after all, well-known for his negotiating skills. "Yes, that's my job. Anyway the President was having dinner with (an association of) minibus drivers," explained Pramono.

He was sworn in to his present position as minister in charge of cabinet affairs on August 12, replacing Andi Wijayanto. In addition to his main job, based on clear-cut regulations, the President has asked him to bridge relations between the Palace and political forces. "This is not just with coalition parties but also with the others," said Pramono, in a special interview with Tempo reporters Jobpie Sugiharto, Isma Savitri, Retno Sulistyowati and Sunudyantoro, at his office, last week.