New Indonesian president announces biggest-ever cabinet, vows to unite country
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and newly appointed cabinet ministers prepare for group photos after the inauguration of the new cabinet, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 21, 2024. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto has announced his cabinet, dubbed the “Red and White Cabinet”, which comprises a whopping 109 members.
The move is seen as a fulfillment of his promise to establish a strong government that will unite the country’s diverse society and political interests.
Interestingly, Subianto’s cabinet is more than three times larger than his predecessor Joko Widodo’s, which had 34 ministers and agency heads.
Analysts have expressed concerns that this “fat” cabinet may lead to bureaucratic bloat.
The cabinet features politicians from seven parties that supported Subianto’s victory in the February election, as well as figures aligned with Widodo’s cabinet who were reappointed to continue their roles.
The appointment is seen as a reward to Widodo for his tacit support in the election.
Notable reappointments include Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who has served under three different presidents and is one of Indonesia’s longest-serving finance ministers.
Other carryovers from Widodo’s cabinet include Interior Minister Tito Karnavian, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir.
Subianto aims to increase annual economic growth to 8% by the end of his five-year term and has announced plans for increased defense spending, civil servant salary hikes, and a program to provide free meals to 83 million children.
Some experts have raised concerns about the potential erosion of credibility in government institutions and policies due to the large number of political appointees in the cabinet.
Islam is the largest religion in Indonesia, with 87.06% of the Indonesian population identifying themselves as Muslims, based on civil registry data in 2023.
