(Jakarta Post) Masinton & Effendi Simbolon urges Jokowi to fire Rini & Andi

12/12/2018

Politicians from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) have launched fresh attacks against President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo administration, calling for the resignations of Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, whom they say have intentionally undermined the Jokowi administration.

PDI-P politicians condemned Andi and Rini - two figures in Jokowis inner circle known to be his close confidants - for intentionally obstructing Jokowi from toeing the party line.

"They [Andi and Rini] have cut off our communication with Pak Jokowi. Andi, in particular, has often distorted the information regarding our political stances over several issues," PDI-P lawmaker Masinton Pasaribu told the press on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Masinton, a member of the House of Representatives

Commission III overseeing legal affairs and laws, human rights and security, accused Rini, formerly known as a close aide to PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, as a foreign agent who operated to secure foreign interests.

In a separate interview, PDI-P lawmaker Effendi Simbolon concurred with Masinton, saying Andi and Rini both deserved to be fired.

"Both of them have promoted policies that contradict the PDI-Ps populist ideology," Effendi said.

"I am saying this to remind everyone of the presence of very liberal individuals within the Presidents inner circle who, if left ignored, will eventually bring the country to destruction," the lawmaker from the House Commission I overseeing defense, foreign affairs and information said.

Effendi added that Andi and Rini were not the only "mafia" individuals around Jokowi, adding that they had managed to build a loyal following behind them, about which he declined to elaborate.

PDI-P again launches attack against President Jokowi, the candidate it backed during the election

The party wants Jokowi to dismiss two ministers deemed as failing to toe the party line

Tensions between Jokowi and the PDI-P, the political party that endorsed his presidential ticket in last years election, worsened following Jokowis reluctance to inaugurate National Police chief candidate Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, a former adjutant to Megawati during her tenure as president from 2001 to 2004.

Previously, several PDI-P politicians, including Effendi, slammed Jokowis poor performance after 100 days in office, citing his lack of achievements and leaving the door open for impeachment.

Other PDI-P politicians have been involved in efforts to undermine the

Corruption Eradication Corruption (KPK), the body that named Budi a graft suspect that prompted Jokowi to delay, or possibly terminate, Bu-dis inauguration.

Acting PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto recently reported KPK chairman Abraham Samad to the police for allegedly attempting to become Jokowis running mate in last years election.

The police, meanwhile, have named KPK deputy chairman Bambang Widjojanto a suspect for allegedly masterminding a case of perjury during an election dispute at the Constitutional Court in 2010. .

PDI-P politician Sugianto Sabran, who was defeated in the trial, reported the case to police, despite Bambangs name having been previously cleared of any wrongdoing.

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, who is also a daughter of Megawati, recently made it clear that, despite the ongoing crisis, Jokowi was still "a party official" and the party was behind him.

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(Jakarta Post) Masinton & Effendi Simbolon urges Jokowi to fire Rini & Andi