Jakarta. President-elect Prabowo Subianto confirmed on Monday that the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) will be represented in his cabinet, following interviews with potential cabinet members at his private residence earlier in the evening.

During the marathon session, Prabowo met with at least 49 prominent figures, including professionals, executives of political parties that have pledged support for his incoming government, and current ministers from President Joko Widodo’s cabinet.

Notably absent, however, was any well-known figure from PKS.

"Maybe you just didn’t notice because the candidate proposed by PKS is a professional," Prabowo said when questioned about the party’s representation.

"I genuinely appreciate the leaders of political parties --many of them suggested professionals rather than party members for cabinet positions," he added.

Prabowo was less direct when asked about the absence of politicians from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the only major party not part of the pro-government coalition.

"Maybe you didn’t notice because Party A or Party B also put forward technocrats for my cabinet," he said, adding that interviews will continue on Tuesday.

The second round of interviews will include ministerial candidates who were unable to attend on Monday due to work commitments, as well as candidates for vice minister positions, Prabowo explained.

His aides and PDI-P officials have hinted at a potential meeting between Prabowo and PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to discuss collaboration, but as of Monday, the meeting has yet to take place.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), which supports Prabowo’s presidency, has stated it won’t propose any of its executives for cabinet positions and will work alongside the coalition outside of the cabinet.

If PDI-P joins the pro-government coalition, Prabowo’s administration will face no opposition in the House of Representatives. Prabowo and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka are set to be sworn into office on October 20.

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