President Jokowi Brings Back Jonan and Arcandra Into Cabinet

Jakarta, 14 Muharram 143/15 October 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo has appointed former transportation minister Ignatius Jonan as the minister of energy and mining after his predecessor was removed from office in August following reports that he held dual citizenship.

Archandra Tahar, who held the post for only 20 days following a July cabinet reshuffle before he was revealed to be a United States citizen, was appointed as Jonan’s deputy Friday.

Indonesian law does not recognize dual citizenship for nationals over the age of 18, Antara and Anadolu reported.

President Joko Widodo has expressed the hope that the newly-installed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan and his deputy minister Arcandra Tahar would be able to carry out massive reforms in the energy sector.

“Although I know that both are stubborn, they like to go to the field themselves,” President Joko Widodo said after an inauguration ceremony at the State Palace on Friday.

The president affirmed that both people were the right fit for the respective posts.

Jonan and Tahar took oath in front of the president at the State Palace before he left for a working visit to the West Kalimantan Province.

Tahar, who lived in the U.S. for 20 years before Widodo asked him to lead the ministry, told reporters after the ceremony that he now only has Indonesian citizenship.

“I think all the problems have been resolved and I am now sworn in by the president,” he said. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)