Responding to Shadow Cabinet, VP Gibran Encourages Public Oversight

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming has responded to the establishment of a Shadow Cabinet formed by civil society, stating he welcomes initiatives that promote transparency as long as they remain within a healthy corridor. “I respect every form of public participation, including observers, academics, media personnel, and youth initiatives in providing input or forming a shadow cabinet… As long as public oversight is delivered objectively, based on data, and solution-oriented, I view it as good evaluation material for the running of the government,” the Vice President said in a written statement on Wednesday (29/7). The Vice President emphasised that, in principle, the government accepts and respects all forms of criticism and public input with open arms. All of this, he said, is an important part of a healthy democratic life. “Because the government’s duty is to work better, listen more, and ensure every policy truly benefits the people. It is with this spirit that the quality of governance will continue to improve, Indonesian democracy will become more mature, and public trust can be maintained through real work, openness, and accountability,” he stressed. Previously, a number of civil society members consisting of observers and academics created a Shadow Cabinet as a form of public oversight while encouraging transparency in every government policy. This cabinet was formed because the functions of opposition and oversight by parliament are considered to be running ineffectively. The ‘ministers’ in the Shadow Cabinet will compile evidence-based studies, remain non-partisan, and challenge official cabinet ministers to open debates.