REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- When he was installed as a president, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo decided not to appoint a spokesperson. He wanted to keep his style like he did when he was a governor.

However, two months later, the Palace changed its mind. They thought that Jokowi needed a spokesperson. Minister of State Secretary Pratikno said he reviewed several candidates for the right spokesperson. He has written down several names.

"We are making a long list. The point is that it will ease Mr. President's job to create relationship with public," he said recently.

Pratikno said the spokesperson had to understand Jokowi and JK top priorities. The spokesperson must also keep up with Jokowi's fast rhythm of work.

He said that at least 10 candidates were in the list. One of them is the former spokesman of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Johan Budi. "Johan Budi is in the list, but we haven't sent the list to the president," he said.

Yet, Jokowi seems disagree with the plan. He hasn't made a decision about the needs for spokesperson. "The president is still considering the importance of a spokesperson," he said.

A PDIP Politician, Eva Kusuma Sundari, supported the plan. She said that a spokesperson could ease president's burden to deliver information publicly. Sundari said that it was impossible for a president to deliver all his statement related to strategic issue.

She once visited Presidential Office. The chairman, Luhut Panjaitan, called her to map important issues within the government, such as budget, infrastructure and bureaucratic reform. She denied that her visit was to talk on spokesperson. "We haven't discussed the matter yet," she said.

Until today, Jokowi hasn't had any spokesperson. However, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto sometimes acts as president's representative to media. He occasionally delivers president's view on certain issues.

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