Public Works Minister Reveals Why He Prefers Appointing Acting Officials Over Permanent Officials

At a press briefing at the Ministry of Public Works in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Friday, 22 May 2026, Dody Hanggodo said he had not counted how many echelon I officials he had replaced so far. ‘I don’t memorise (how many echelon I have replaced). I never really counted them,’ he said.

Dody then explained that there are more acting officials at the Ministry of Public Works. He admitted to being wary, preferring to appoint acting officials rather than definitive ones. ‘That’s why, as you can see now, there are many acting officials. There are few definitive director-generals, because frankly I am somewhat reluctant; I’d rather use acting officials,’ he said.

Dody said that if an acting official is not suitable for him, he will replace them immediately. Yet he acknowledged there are some tasks that cannot be carried out by an acting official and must be performed by a definitive official.

‘I am thinking about whether the work carried out by the Minister of Agriculture is indeed appropriate. There are many acting officials; if they are not suitable, you replace, replace, replace, until suitable. But I must also recognise that some matters cannot be done by an acting official,’ he added.

‘Because there are some duties that cannot be performed by an acting official; they must indeed be performed by a definitive officer who can push them through,’ he continued.

Dody said he would immediately replace subordinates who do not align with the rhythm of President Prabowo Subianto’s work. He also denied that the swearing-in of the Director General on Friday (1 May) was conducted in secret.

‘If I feel not suitable and I feel the person does not align with the rhythm of work from Mr President Prabowo, I will replace them,’ he said.