Jakarta. Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said Monday the current administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo doesn’t need to establish a special team for the transfer of presidential power, presuming that Prabowo Subianto wins the election.

Prabowo, who appointed Jokowi’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate, is poised to win the Feb. 14 presidential election by more than 58 percent of the vote according to analyses by independent pollsters and the interim tally by the General Election Commission.

Bahlil argued that Prabowo and Gibran have promised to defend Jokowi’s legacy and continue policies and development programs by the current administration in their campaign.

“If continuation becomes the central theme of the campaign, why should we need a transition?" Bahlil said.

He said several cabinet members, himself included, have joined Prabowo’s presidential campaign team, ensuring a seamless transition of power in October.

Bahlil pointed to a cabinet meeting held earlier in the day to discuss the budget for the free meal program initiated by Prabowo’s campaign as a gesture of full cooperation by the current administration.

“Of course, we have to wait for the official [election] results from the KPU but there’s nothing wrong if we simulate the draft budget early on,” Bahlil said.

Bahlil stressed that personnel vetting and the selection of future cabinet members are exclusively the prerogative of the president.

Prabowo currently serves in the Jokowi cabinet as the defense minister.

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