Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Wednesday that he had full confidence in appointing Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Chairman of the Democratic Party, as the new minister of agrarian affairs and spatial planning.

Agus is the eldest son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) -- who was a prominent critic of his successor until last November when the Democratic Party joined a coalition supporting presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is the son of Jokowi.

The duo convincingly won the Feb. 14 election, according to quick counts by independent pollsters.

Jokowi aimed to convey that Agus’ appointment was based on merit rather than post-election dynamics, especially with eight months left for the president to retire.

"I have no hesitation in appointing him to the ministerial post, which requires managerial skill. I believe he is fully prepared to assume the responsibility,” Jokowi said at the State Palace in Jakarta.

"He is a graduate of the Military Academy and has also studied at Nanyang University, Harvard University, and Webster University.”

Agus, 45, is entrusted with tasks such as adopting electronic land certification, pursuing favorable carbon trade policies related to land utilization, and expanding land registration across the country, Jokowi said.

The Democratic Party positioned itself as an opposition to the Jokowi government until a few months before the elections when Agus, denied a running-mate position by presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, shifted allegiance to the coalition supporting Prabowo and Gibran.

Conversely, Gibran’s decision to team up with Prabowo drew ire from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which had played a crucial role in Jokowi's two presidential terms and ensured Gibran’s election as the mayor of Solo three years ago.

The PDI-P had nominated former Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo for president and was confident of full backing from the president before the dramatic turn of events.

With these backgrounds, Jokowi needs all the support he needs including from SBY in his final months in the presidency to ensure a smooth transition of power with his son poised to hold the country’s second-most powerful job in October.

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