JAKARTA, Indonesia: Newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto swore in his cabinet on Monday, signaling his intent to maintain continuity from the previous administration. Prabowo, a 73-year-old former general, ascended to the presidency on a platform of combating corruption and upholding democracy, pledging to uphold many policies of his predecessor, Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
The new cabinet comprises 48 ministers, blending loyalists from Prabowo’s Gerindra party with key figures from Jokowi’s government. Notable reappointments include Rosan Perkasa Roeslani as investment minister and Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister, who had previously served in the same role under Jokowi.
This continuity, particularly in economic leadership, suggests a pragmatic approach by Prabowo to stabilize the government amid global economic uncertainties. Political analyst Firman Noor highlighted that retaining Sri Mulyani is crucial for maintaining positive market sentiment, which is essential for smooth governmental operations .
Prabowo’s cabinet is diverse in expertise but raises questions about gender representation, as only five women were appointed, compared to nine in Jokowi’s initial cabinet . The president’s team also includes figures with controversial backgrounds, such as Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who, like Prabowo, has faced accusations of human rights abuses during Indonesia’s tumultuous political history .
As Prabowo embarks on his presidency, he faces the challenge of unifying a cabinet that includes members from different political factions. Political analyst Dedi Dinarto noted that fostering collaboration among ministers from various backgrounds will be critical to achieving effective governance .
Looking forward, Prabowo aims to boost Indonesia’s economic growth from five to eight percent while committing to a non-aligned foreign policy. His cabinet’s ability to balance these ambitious goals with the need for internal cohesion will be essential as he navigates the complexities of Indonesia’s political landscape.
