Jokowi Appoints Anti-Graft Activist as Chief of Staff

Jakarta Globe, Novy Lumanauw, September 2, 2015

Teten Masduki has been inaugurated as President Joko Widodo's chief of
staff. (Antara Photo/Yudhi Mahatma)

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo on Wednesday installed his spokesman as his chief of staff in an inauguration ceremony at the State Palace in Jakarta.

Teten Masduki, an anti-corruption activist and former lawyer, replaces Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who now serves as the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Human Rights.

"I will do my best in this new position... I'll consult with the president about what he expects from the chief of staff in the future," Teten told reporters after the inauguration ceremony.

Born in Garut, West Java, in May 1963, Teten's profile emerged as chairman of Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), one of the country's prominent anti-corruption watchdogs.

In 2013, Teten announced his decision to run as deputy governor with politician Rieke Diah Pitaloka in the West Java election with the support from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).