Jakarta. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the Daily Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, addressed rumors regarding the number of ministries in President-elect Prabowo Subianto's upcoming administration, indicating that the figure is expected to be around 46 ministries.

“I am still finalizing the exact count, but it will be around that figure (46 ministries),” Dasco stated at the Parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday.

He explained that one reason for having approximately 46 ministries is to optimize the fulfillment of the campaign promises made by Prabowo and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, which include 17 priority programs aimed at improving the welfare of the people.

Currently, Prabowo is in the process of finalizing the composition, number, and names of ministers who will assist him and Gibran over the next five years.

Reports indicate that the Prabowo-Gibran cabinet will consist of 46 ministries, including 41 sectoral ministries and five coordinating ministries. This will include one additional coordinating ministry and 11 new sectoral ministries.

The newly proposed ministries will be the Forestry Ministry, the Public Housing Ministry, the Transmigration Ministry, the Creative Economy Ministry, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Ministry, and the Population and Family Development Ministry .

Other new ministries will include the Migrant Worker Protection Ministry, the Higher Education Ministry, the Culture Ministry, the Human Rights Ministry, and the Immigration Ministry. The new coordinating ministry will focus on social affairs.

Dasco also mentioned that Prabowo will conduct fit and proper tests for all ministerial candidates. He emphasized that Prabowo will personally interview his potential aides for the upcoming administration.

“There will be a fit and proper test. Although this has been done by the team, it will be conducted directly by Prabowo in a face-to-face session for finalization,” he reiterated.

Gibran affirmed that the selection of cabinet ministers will be entirely the responsibility of Prabowo, without interference from outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, Gibran's father.

“The decision lies with the President-elect. The personnel and other details are almost 10 percent finalized,” Gibran said in Solo on Friday.

When asked whether Jokowi provided input on ministerial candidates, Gibran acknowledged that some suggestions had been offered. “But again, the decision is with the President-elect. Just wait until next week,” he concluded.

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