REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Minister of Social Affairs, Salim Segaf al Jufri, said Prosperous Justice Party’s readiness if being removed from the ruling coalition.
“PKS is always ready to bear all consequences, including being removed from the ruling government,” he said on Sunday afternoon during his visit to a flooded area in Kapuk, North Jakarta, Sunday afternoon. .
In fact, he said, leaving out coalition was an option if the government ignored people‘s aspirations. Yet, Jufri stressed that PKS intended to help the government to maintain a ‘healthy’ state budget without sacrificing the public interests.
Jufri seemed at ease when asked about reshuffle issue. “We work and communicate directly with the president and we are ready to accept his decision,” he said then added, the issue did not influence his work in the ministry.
Jufri's statement was conflicting with earlier statement from PKS President, Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq who said his party would remain in the government coalition, even though it was not invited to a recent meeting of the Coalition`s Joint Secretariat. He also rejected speculation on PKS being removed fron the ruling coalition.
The recent conflict, he said, was a result of a lack of communicating among coalition members.