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Prabowo consolidates power early through ministries, top SOE posts
The string of recent appointment of Prabowo Subianto's close aide and of Gerindra Party members as state-owned enterprises (SOEs) commissioners or deputy ministers is intended to help prevent any political turbulence during the government transition and to help the president-elect and his party secure long-term political gain for the 2029 elections, observers have said.
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Defense Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech on Feb. 6, 2024, as he attends the Gerindra Party anniversary in Denpasar, Bali, ahead of the presidential and legislative election on Feb. 14. (AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka)
T
hree months before being sworn in as Indonesia’s next president, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto appears to be taking early steps to solidify his control over strategic state institutions, as a growing list of figures in his political circle take on key posts at ministries and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
Prabowo will only officially start working in October when outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ends his second and final five-year term.
Yet, some figures close to Prabowo and to the Gerindra Party have already assumed positions in SOEs and in Jokowi’s cabinet.
Among them are Burhanuddin Abdullah, a renowned economist who heads the expert council of Prabowo’s presidential campaign, and Andi Arief, a close aide to former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from whom Prabowo has often sought advice.
On Tuesday, Burhanuddin was named the new president commissioner of state-owned electricity company PLN by SOEs Minister Erick Thohir. Andi was also appointed as one of the electricity firm’s commissioners.
Once considered for the vice presidential position on Prabowo’s ticket in the February presidential election, Erick has reportedly been among several potential figures that Jokowi proposed to Prabowo for the latter’s cabinet in the incoming administration.
Read also: Close aide of SBY appointed PLN commissioner
