REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUNINGAN -- People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairman Zulkifli Hasan affirmed that his institution respected President Joko Widodo's decision to reshuffle his cabinet, as he is exercising his presidential prerogative under the Constitution. "It is the president's right to reform the cabinet," he remarked in Kuningan, West Java Province, on Friday.

He said the  to facilitate him in carrying out the government's duties. Hasan was reluctant to comment further on the criticism voiced by some parties in response to the cabinet reshuffle.

Earlier, Widodo had reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday (Jan 17) by replacing the minister of social affairs and the chief of presidential staff. Widodo appointed senior politician of Golkar Party Idrus Marham as the social affairs minister to replace Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who is contesting for the post of West Java governor in the 2018 general election.

He claimed that Marham was viewed as being most suitable for the position. "My consideration? He is suitable for the position. You can ask Mr. Marham directly," he stated after attending the inauguration of state officials at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The president admitted to be on the lookout for a person who truly understood conditions on the field to take over the position of social affairs minister.

In addition, he appointed General (Ret.) Moeldoko as chief of the presidential staff to replace Teten Masduki, who was assigned as a special staff of the president. In the position, Masduki will spend more time at the president's side to assist him.

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