Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs

Djoko Suyanto
Madiun, East Java/Dec. 2, 1950
Education : Indonesian Military Academy Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Professional (Navy)**

His appointment comes as no surprise due to his strategic role in the campaign team for Yudhoyono and Boediono following his retirement as the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief. President Yudhoyono has long had confidence in his fellow 1973 Military Academy graduate Djoko, whom he named TNI commander in 2006. Djoko emulates his predecessor Widodo Adi Sucipto as a former military chief promoted to chief security minister.

Defense Minister

Purnomo Yusgiantoro
Semarang/June 16, 1951
Education : PhD in economics/mineral resources from the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado (1988)
Religion : Catholic
Ethnicity: Java
Background : Professional

The appointment of Purnomo as a defense minister shocked the public, considering his background serves him best in the economic sector. Before serving as the energy and mineral resources minister for the past five years, Purnomo served in the same post under president Megawati Soekarnoputri. He served as president of OPEC before Indonesia decided to quit from the organization.

Agriculture Minister

Suswono
Tegal, Central Java/April 20, 1959
Education : Master's in Agribusiness from Agribusiness Management Magister, Bogor Institute of Agriculture
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Politician (PKS)

Suswono emerged as an expert in agriculture and plantation following his function as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Commission for Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry between 2004 and 2009. As PKS representative, Suswono is likely to continue the policies already installed by his predecessor Anton Apriyantono, the party's senior activist.

Health Minister

Endang R. Sedyaningsih Banyumas, Central Java/Feb. 1, 1955 Education : Doctor of Public Health, Harvard School of Public HealthBackground : Professional

Until her appointment, Endang was mostly unknown, despite her academic credentials as director of the Center for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research and Programme Development. She has also participated in research on avian influenza since 2006. In 2001, Endang was stationed at the WHO headquarters in Geneva at the department of communicable disease surveillance and response as temporary technical advisor. Her name was a last-minute replacement for previous candidate Nila Anfasa Moeloek.

State Minister for Research and Technology

Suharna Surapranata
Bandung/Dec. 13, 1955
Education : Master's in Physics Engineering from the Bandung Institute of Technology
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Sunda
Background : Politician (PKS)

His appointment as the new research minister will see him give up his post as a legislator for his West Java constituency. The chairman of the PKS advisory board previously worked at the Technology Research and Application Agency (BPPT). Suharna said that among his jobs would be to adopt research and technology to help boost Indonesia's economic competitiveness.

State Minister for National Development Planning

Armida Alisjahbana
Bandung/Aug. 16, 1960
Education : PhD in Economics, University of Washington, Seattle
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Sunda
Background : Professional (Academician from the Padjajaran University).

Armida, the daughter of former Foreign Minister Mochtar Kusuma Atmadja, is not well known as one the country's economic thinkers despite her involvement in numerous research projects both at home and overseas.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy

M. Hatta Radjasa
Palembang, South Sumatra/Dec. 18, 1953
Education : Bandung Institute of Technology
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Palembang
Background : Politician (National Mandate Party/PAN)

While still retaining the role of secretary-general of the PAN, Hatta emerged as a trusted man in Yudhoyono's inner circle. His appointment to such a key post, despite a lack of experience in this portfolio, signifies Yudhoyono's trust in him personally rather than the influence of the PAN. This is Hatta's fourth Cabinet posting after previously serving as state secretary, transportation minister and research and technology minister.

Justice and Human Rights Minister

Patrialis Akbar
Padang, West Sumatra/Oct. 31, 1958
Education : Muhammadiyah University (1984)
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Minang
Background : Politician (PAN)

He consistently supported Yudhoyono's re-election bid while other fellow National Mandate Party (PAN) executives preferred rival presidential candidate Wiranto. Patrialis, who was a lawmaker between 1999 and 2009, once worked as a public transportation and taxi driver to fund his study at Muhammadiyah University's School of Law in Jakarta. He turned to politics after years as a lawyer.

Forestry Minister

Zulkifli Hasan
Lampung/May 17, 1962
Education : Master's of Management from PPM Management Institute
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Lampung
Background : Politician (PAN)

Zulkifli served as a lawmaker from the PAN, representing his hometown of Lampung. He was a member of the House's Commission VI on mining and a member of the House's budgetary committee. Zulkifli was president director of PT Panamas Mitra Inti Lestari. He is also deputy chairman of the empowerment committee at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Jakarta branch. Zulkifli said among his tasks was to control forest fires.

Education Minister

Mohammad Nuh
Surabaya/June 17, 1959
Education : PhD in science from Universite Sciences et Techniques de Montpellier, France
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Professional (academician)

Known as an information technology expert, Muhammad Nuh's exposure in education came when he served as the rector of the November 10 Institute of Technology in Surabaya just before his first appointment as minister in 2005 to replace Sofyan Djalil following the first Cabinet reshuffle under Yudhoyono. Nuh is among a few ministers who are maintained by President Yudhoyono.

State Minister for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises

Syarifuddin Hasan (Syarief Hasan)
Palopo, South Sulawesi/June 17, 1949
Education : PhD from Krisnadwipayana University (Unkris), Jakarta
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Makassar
Background : Democratic Party politician.

Spending most of his time with the House of Representatives's defense and foreign affair commission, Syarief Hasan is widely known as Yudhoyono's lobbyist and bumper against attacks from politicians in the House. Syarief, a successful businessman, is among Yudhoyono's confidants.

State Minister for State Enterprises

Mustafa Abubakar
Pidie, Aceh/Oct. 15, 1949
Education : PhD from IPB
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Aceh
Background : Professional, and former Golkar member.

Despite his past as a party activist, Mustafa has demonstrated both his high integrity and his success in cleansing the once corrupt-infested state logistic company PT Bulog. As former acting governor of Aceh between 2005 and 2007, Mustafa emerges as a Acehnese success story at the national stage.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare

Agung Laksono
Semarang, March 23, 1949
Education : Bachelor's from the Christian University of Indonesia (UKI)
School of Medicine, Jakarta
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Politician (Golkar Party)

His presence in the Cabinet, including that of a large Golkar contingent, signifies the role of the party under its new chairman, Aburizal Bakrie, despite not originally being part of the coalition that won the presidential election. A longtime political player, Agung brings legislative experience and sway to the government.

Finance Minister

Sri Mulyani Indrawati
Tanjung Karang, Lampung/Aug. 26, 1962
Education : PhD in Economics from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, (1992)
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Professional (Academic).

Aside from acting as an integrity icon for Yudhoyono's administration following her success in rooting out protracted graft at the tax and customs office, Mulyani is posing more as guarantor for positive business confidence both at home and overseas due to her ability in deploying a sound fiscal management policy. This will be her second term in the Cabinet.

Transportation Minister

Freddy Numberi
Serui, Papua/Oct. 15, 1947
Education : Navy Aca-demy, Surabaya
Religion : Christian
Ethnicity : Papua
Background : Democratic Party politician.

Freddy's pick represents Yudhoyono's gratitude to an old pal who has financially contributed big-time to the President's election campaign. Despite spiraling graft at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry under his management, Freddy's new post as the tsar of the country's transportation is likely to hamper the ongoing efforts in improving governance at the ministry. This is Freddy's second term in the Cabinet.

Social affairs Minister
Salim Segaf Al Jufri
Surakarta, Central Java/July 17, 1954
Education : Ph.D in Shariah, Madinah University, Saudi Arabia
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Arab/Sulawesi
Background : Politician (Prosperous Justice Party/PKS)

Political dealings were behind President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's choice of Salim as the Indonesian ambassador to Saudi Arabia in December 2005, not just because of his 13-year stint in the Middle East country for study. Such a political process was repeated when Yudhoyono entrusted the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) co-founder with a place in his Cabinet.

State Minister for the Environment

Gusti Muhammad Hatta
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan/Sept. 1, 1952
Education : PhD from Wageningen University, the Netherlands
Religion : Muslim
Ethnicity : Banjarmasin
Background : Professional (Academic)

Gusti was not among those expected to serve on the Cabinet. A professor and deputy rector at the Lambung Mangkurat University's School of Forestry. He initiated the establishment of the environmental research center at his university. Gusti said Yudhoyono had talked to him about problems in forestry and environment, especially the impact of the climate change.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs

Andi Mallarangeng
Parepare, South Sulawesi/March 14, 1963
Education : PhD in politics from Northern Illinois University, Illinois Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Makassar
Background : Politician (Democratic Party)

One of the men who always seem to be at Yudhoyono's side. After being a player behind the scenes, SBY's former spokesman and confidante is now at the forefront. Will he stick to his relatively mundane Cabinet portfolio, or continue to be a political player?

State Secretary

Sudi Silalahi

Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra/July 13, 1949
Education : Indonesian Military Academy (1972)
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Batak
Background : Professional (military)

Long known as *the right hand' of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono since serving at the office of the coordinating minister for political and security affairs in 2001, Sudi played a key role behind the campaign team for Yudhoyono both in 2004 and 2009. His latest appointment means he will stay within the President's inner circle without having to formally join Yudhoyono's Democratic Party.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister

Darwin Zahedy Saleh
Sapat, Riau/Oct. 29 1960
Education : PhD in management from University of Indonesia School of Economy, Jakarta
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Riau
Background : Democratic Party

Yudhoyono's selection of Darwin, who has no background in the energy sector nor knowledge concerning the protracted problems plaguing it, reflects the President's intention to keep the lucrative ministry as a cash-cow rather than turning it into an institution highly regarded for its good governance. Darwin will have to spend more time adapting to the sector's complicity than trying to address concerns from oil and gas investors.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister

Fadel Muhammad
Ternate, North Maluku/May 20, 1952
Education : PhD in State Administration, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Arab
Background : Politician (Golkar Party)

The experienced businessman who became a Golkar politician has built a reputation for himself as one of the most successful governors in the country. He was re-elected as governor of Gorontalo with 81 percent of support at the polls, the biggest ever victory in any local election. His experience will be an asset, but his close ties with business-related politics could also cast a shadow.

Religious Affairs Minister

Suryadharma Ali
Jakarta/Sept. 19, 1956
Education : Bachelor's from Syarief Hidayatullah Islamic State University, Jakarta
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Sunda
Background : Politician (PPP)

Suryadharma served as state minister for small and medium enterprises. His educational background, though, fits more his new post. Before joining the PPP, Suryadharma worked with retail giant PT Hero Group from 1985 to 1999, with his last position as deputy director. He was then elected as a legislator and chaired the House's Commission V between 2001 and 2004.

State Minister for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection

Linda Agum Gumelar
Bandung/Nov. 15, 1951
Education : n.a.
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Minang
Background : Professional (Activist)

Far less familiar than her husband, Agum Gumelar, who served as minister of transportation under Megawati. However, Linda's capacity as an activist in empowering women is believed to be able to see her replace outgoing minister Meutia Hatta. The chairwoman of the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani) is also active in international conferences on women and child protection.

Public Housing Minister

Suharso Monoarfa
Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara/Oct. 23, 1956
Education : Ph.D (Candidate) Curtin University Of Technology, Perth
Religion : Muslim
Ethnicity : Lombok
Background : Politician (PPP)

Suharso was a legislator from the PPP, representing Gorontalo. He is a treasurer of the party, which is in Yudhoyono's coalition. He served as deputy chairman of the House of Representative's budgetary committee and on the House's Commission VI on mining.

Home Minister

Gamawan Fauzi
Solok, West Sumatra/Nov. 9, 1957 Education : Bachelor of Andalas University's School of Law, Padang
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Padang
Background : Professional (Bureaucrat)

His work as a staunch corruption fighter earned him the prestigious Bung Hatta Antigraft award. Gamawan declared his support for Yudhoyono's re-election bid despite the fact that he had won the West Sumatra governorship in 2005 with the support of PDI-P. His appointment is said to set an example for those from ordinary backgrounds, as he was a bureaucrat who started at the bottom of the ladder, and climbed all the way to the top.

Industry Minister

Mohamad Suleman Hidayat
Jombang, East Java/Dec. 2, 1944
Education : Bachelor's from Padjajaran University, Bandung
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Politician (the Golkar Party) and chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

As the captain of Kadin, the choice of Hidayat serves to represent the business community. Hidayat, whose business empire was once nurtured by current Golkar patron Akbar Tandjung, is widely known as an industrialist with a stiff stance on protecting local businessmen.

Manpower and Transmigration Minister

Muhaimin Iskandar
Jombang, East Java/Sept. 24, 1966
Education : Master's in Communication from University of Indonesia
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
His appointment allows him to join the rank of political party chairmen who serve as the President's aides. Hailing from the Nahdlatul Ulama's royal family, Muhaimin challenged his uncle Abdurrahman Wahid to steer the National Awakening Party (PKB) closer to Yudhoyono. Under Muhaimin, PKB joined a coalition of parties that supported Yudhoyono's bid for reelection.

Culture and Tourism Minister

Jero Wacik
Singaraja, Bali/April 24, 1949
Education : Bachelor's degree from Bandung Institute of Technology's School of Mechanical Engineering (1974) and bachelor's in economics from University of Indonesia (1983)
Religion : Hindu
Ethnicity : Balinese
Background : Politician (Democratic Party)

Jero is among the few retaining their post in the new Cabinet. During his first term, he launched the "Visit Indonesia" campaign that is likely to be extended to next year. Before being named a minister in 2004, Jero ran his own businesses in property and tourism. He began his career with United Tractors.

State Minister for Administrative Reforms

Evert Ernest Mangindaan
Surakarta, Central Java/Jan. 5, 1943
Education : Indonesian Military Academy
Religion : Protestant
Ethnicity : Manado
Background : Politician (Democratic Party)

Highly popular among soccer fans. During his tenure as North Sulawesi governor from 1995-2000, Mangindaan brought the province's soccer team to the national level. Among his achievements in his military career was his appointment as Trikora Military commander. Mangindaan was a Golkar Party member before moving to the Democratic Party in 2002. He was elected as a lawmaker in the 2004 and served on House Commission II.

Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)

Gita Irawan Wirjawan
Jakarta/Sept. 21, 1965
Education : Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Professional (Businessman)

Successful businessman, banker and avid golfer. After peaking as president director of JP Morgan Indonesia, he established Ancora Capital. A consummate investor, his name has been linked to several top government jobs. His appointment may be a sign that his political investments are paying off.

Foreign Minister

R. Mohammad Marty Muliana Natalegawa
Bandung/March 22, 1963
Education : Australian National University, PhD in International Relations
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Sunda
Background : Professional (bureaucrat)

Somewhat of a prodigy at the Foreign Ministry, who rose under Hassan Wirajuda's tutelage. He came to prominence by serving as the ministry's spokesman. Bright and eloquent, he was appointed ambassador to the UK at the "tender" age of 42. Marty's selection is a safe logical conclusion for Yudhoyono, who is eager to have a technocrat leading a foreign policy that will raise Indonesia's, and his own profile.

Trade Minister

Mari Elka Pangestu
Jakarta/Oct. 23, 1956
Education : PhD in International Trade, Finance and Monetary Economics from Davis University of California
Religion : Christian
Ethnicity : Chinese
Background : Professional (Academician).

Despite being highly regarded by the international community for her crucial initiatives at the WTO, Mari is facing tougher times at home as her policies tend to sacrifice the local private sector at the expense of foreign interests. Criticism is also rife over her inability to settle the protracted scarcity of basic goods, such as cooking oil, sugar and soybeans.

Public Works Minister

Djoko Kirmanto
Pengging, Central Java/July 5, 1943
Education : Masters from Institute of Hydraulic Engineering Delft, Netherland
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Java
Background : Professional (Bureaucrat).

Despite his failure in stamping out corruption at his ministry, Yudhoyono's decision to keep Djoko is primarily due to his success in accelerating spending for infrastructure projects, which eventually propelled the economy. Infrastructure projects are slated to spearhead the country's economic growth. This will be Djoko's second term in the Cabinet.

Information and Communication Minister

Tifatul Sembiring

Bukittinggi, West Sumatra/Sept. 28, 1961
Education : Bachelor from Institute of Computer and Information Management (STI&K), Jakarta
Religion : Islam
Ethnicity : Batak
Background : Politician (PKS)

Under his leadership, the PKS won a record four Cabinet ministerial posts, only after a tough negotiation that almost ended the coalition between the Muslim-based party and President Yudhoyono's Democratic Party following Yudhoyono's choice of Boediono as his running mate. Tifatul is one of three party leaders who serve as the President's aides.

State Minister for Disadvantaged Regions

A. Helmi Faisal Zaini
Cirebon, West Java/Aug. 1, 1972
Education : Master's from Paramadina University, Jakarta
Religion : Muslim
Ethnicity : Sunda
Background : Politician (PKB)

The 37-year-old is a new face in the Cabinet. Helmi previously served as a lawmaker from the PKB in the 2004-2009 period. During his service, the bachelor was a member of House Commission VI and the House's Assembly. His is still deputy secretary-general at the PKB.

Presidential Unit for the Management of Reform Programs (UKP3R)

Kuntoro Mangkusubroto

Purwokerto, Central Java/March 14, 1947

Master in Civil Engineering, Stanford University and PhD from Bandung Institute of Technology

Head of state intelligence agency

Sutanto
Pemalang, Central Java/Sept. 30,1950
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