Rumors about a Cabinet reshuffle have gained traction after Jokowi gathered leaders of political parties that support his government, minus the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), late last month, during which the President reportedly raised the idea of replacing ministers who did not support his programs sometime in June. The party leaders, however, suggested that Jokowi refrain from shaking up the Cabinet, citing as their reasoning that his term will soon end.

Jokowi has denied reports about the Cabinet reshuffle talks, but Communications and Information Minister Budi Ari Setiadi, who also leads Jokowi’s largest volunteer group Projo, believes the President has not ruled out such a move.

In order to demonstrate who is in charge in the last few months of his government, Jokowi may feel he has to make changes to his cabinet, if he believes that some of the ministers are not on the same page as him. He may have to replace cabinet members who are not fully committed to his presidency, or else they will make it difficult for him as he seeks to leave a lasting legacy.

Jokowi should not hesitate to dismiss any aides who put their own or group interests ahead of working on state programs. What is most important for the outgoing President to see is the sustainability of his programs when the government is transferred to president-elect Prabowo Subianto and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka on Oct. 20.

As the dust settles after the fierce presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 14, Jokowi has to make sure he runs an effective government, which is unlikely to happen without the support of his entire cabinet throughout the coming four months.

Since taking office in October 2014, Jokowi has shaken up his cabinet 11 times, including minor reshuffles. The most recent cabinet changes came after the Feb. 14 elections, when Jokowi installed Hadi Tjahjanto as the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister, replacing Mahfud MD who resigned in order to contest the presidential race as the running mate to Ganjar Pranowo. Jokowi also appointed Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, chairman of the Democratic Party, to replace Hadi as the agrarian affairs and spatial planning minister.

The problem is, as many suspect, Jokowi will seize the opportunity of a cabinet reshuffle simply to weed out ministers from the PDI-P, the party that catapulted Jokowi to the presidency in 2014. Jokowi and the PDI-P parted ways ahead of the Feb. 14 elections, with the former opting to support Prabowo and Gibran, Jokowi’s eldest son, over the PDI-P candidate pair of Ganjar and Mahfud.

There are seven PDI-P members in the 34-strong cabinet. They are Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono; Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung; Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly; Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini; Cooperatives Minister Teten Masduki; Administrative Reform Minister Azwar Anas and Women's Empowerment Minister I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati.

Among other top-level officials, Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan are linked to the PDI-P.

Strained ties between Jokowi and the PDI-P have not been healed and will worsen if Jokowi dismisses ministers from the party. Although it officially remains in the ruling coalition, the PDI-P has stood out as a staunch critic of the government. The party has been reluctant to quit the government before Jokowi kicks it out.

There have been no signs yet that the political standoff has disrupted the government. Jokowi, for example, has entrusted Minister Basuki to take over the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority.

This only means Jokowi’s decision to reshuffle the cabinet, if any, should be based on merit, rather than personal grudges.