PAN Denies Proposing Five Candidates for Ministers

Padang, W Sumatra (Antara Bali) - Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan on Tuesday denied proposing five candidates for ministerial posts amid speculation about a cabinet shakeup.

The speculation about a reshuffle has been rife after the party joined the pro-government coalition.

"That is not true. Reshuffle is the President's prerogative. Nobody knows whether or not a cabinet reshuffle will take place. Therefore, it is impossible for PAN to propose candidates for ministerial posts," he said here.

However, he added that the party will prepare its cadres for the posts if the President wants some ministers from PAN.

"When it comes to national progress and NKRI (the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia), we are ready to do anything," he said.

One of the factors underlying PAN's decision to support the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla is the NKRI's interest, he said.

"Imagine if the government fails or is not successful, we will all suffer losses. So we join Pak (Mr) Jokowi unconditionally. If the government is successful, the entire nation will be successful," he said.

Zulkifli visited West Sumatra on Tuesday in his capacity as the chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to lead a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of Heroes' Day. (WDY)