Indonesian President Joko Widodo reshuffled his cabinet two months before the end of his term, but critics questioned whether the reforms were necessary

Two months before Jokowi’s term ends

Observers added that since the reshuffle was carried out two months before the end of Jokowi’s term, the time was too short for the ministers involved to carry out their work effectively.

“This reshuffle is unnecessary. The government should focus on the remaining two months to maximize results and performance,” Agong said.

The Jokowi government said the reshuffle was intended to help the transition of power.

“(The reshuffle) is to prepare and support a smooth, peaceful and effective transition of government,” Ali Devipayana, the presidential special staff coordinator, said on Monday, according to Detik.

The Agong said it was possible that those appointed on Monday would continue to serve in Prabowo’s government. “Hopefully they will be aligned with his policies. But if they are replaced again (in Prabowo’s government), then this (reshuffle) will be redundant,” the Agong said.

However, Mr Ray said there was no guarantee that Prabowo would abide by Mr Jokowi’s appointments if he took over.

Mr Ray said: “Prabowo is brave enough to speak out publicly when he disagrees.”

What will happen to other Democratic Party ministers?

There are still three PDI-P ministers in Jokowi’s cabinet, including the cabinet secretary-general, but observers doubt they will be affected by any further changes because their positions are not as strategic as those of the justice and human rights ministers.

“This is Jokowi’s prerogative. But perhaps because Yasona made a fatal mistake, he was replaced. The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is a strategic position that all political parties want to keep because all their party affairs, including conflicts among each other, must be resolved through the ministry,” Mr Ujang told CNA.

At the same time, keeping several DPP-MP ministers in the cabinet may also be part of Jokowi’s strategy. “Our goal is to keep the DPP in the opposition and not let it destabilize the government,” Rey said.

In February, the PDI-P won legislative elections with 16.72 percent of the vote, followed by Prabowo-backed coalition parties Golkar (15.28 percent) and Gerindra (13.22 percent).

The Democratic Struggle Party has not yet indicated whether it will join the ruling coalition or serve as an opposition party. The position of the Democratic Struggle Party will be determined at the party congress to be held next year.

The party, chaired by Megawati Sukarnoputri, daughter of Indonesia’s first president Sukarno, has not yet commented on the reshuffle.

“Will they react violently? Or will they just stand by and watch? They may also remove all the ministers,” Agong said.

Mr Lei added that the changes could also embolden the Democratic Struggle Party (PDI-P) to further criticise Jokowi.

“The Democratic Struggle Party-Patriot Party will be freer and no longer be embarrassed to criticize Jokowi,” Rey said.