Jakarta (ANTARA) - There was no mention of the upcoming elections during recent cabinet meetings, an advisor to President Joko Widodo stated on Wednesday.
"I think there was no mention of the election situation in the cabinet meetings," said Ari Dwipayana, coordinator of the president's special staff.
He said that during the meetings, all ministers demonstrated a sense of closeness and ease, regardless of each political party's differences and political views.
"Before the cabinet meeting, they chatted and interacted with each other in the waiting room, even sharing jokes," Dwipayana said. "Meals and coffee were served while they were chatting."
He also denied rumors of heightened security checks for ministers entering the meeting.
"It never happened. Palace journalists are familiar with the standard operating procedure (SOP) for security followed by the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres), and there was no change in the security protocols," he explained.
He remarked that journalists who cover the palace could see the security process ahead of the plenary session.
"There is no change to the security SOP when ministers are about to enter the limited meeting or cabinet plenary meeting," he stated.
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He said that the ministers remained solid during the cabinet sessions, including during decision-making meetings. In making decisions, the president invited all relevant ministers to discuss the topics.
"In the decision-making meeting, all ministers are given space to talk, convey opinion, and argue," he stated.
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File - President Joko Widodo chairs a cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on January 9, 2024. (ANTARA FOTO/Sigid Kurniawan/nym)
