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Prabowo ‘returns favor’ with ministerial roster
In the past few days, president-elect Prabowo Subianto has been summoning more than 100 figures touted to become ministers, deputy ministers and heads of state institutions under his administration ahead of his inauguration as the country's next president on Oct. 20.
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President-elect Prabowo Subianto (sitting, center left) and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka (sitting, center right) pose with cabinet minister candidates during a briefing at Prabowo’s residence in Hambalang, Bogor regency, West Java, on Oct. 16, 2024. (AFP/Handout/Gerindra Party)
T
he choice of more than 100 figures potentially selected as Prabowo Subianto’s aides once he enters office has prompted claims that some are being picked merely for having supported him in the election, while further raising questions about whether the enlarged cabinet will make an effective government.
Over the past week, the president-elect has assembled what many view as a probable roster of ministers, deputy ministers and heads of state institutions. Prabowo summoned them to his residence on Jl. Kertanegara in South Jakarta from Monday to Tuesday, before taking them to orientation sessions at his other house in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java on Wednesday and Thursday.
Among at least 109 invitees were individuals allied with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, including nearly half of the outgoing administration’s ministers, who are potentially set to continue their jobs under Prabowo’s presidency.
Observers believe this is Prabowo’s political reward to Jokowi for the latter’s tacit support in the election, which the incumbent defense minister won alongside the President’s eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
“I think there’s that aspect of Prabowo returning the favor to a lot of parties in forming his cabinet, including to Jokowi,” political analyst Firman Noor of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) said on Thursday.
The President has helped pave the way for Prabowo’s desire to form a big-tent cabinet that may have up to 46 ministries. On Thursday, Jokowi signed the revision of the 2008 Ministry Law, passed by the House of Representatives in September, which effectively removes the earlier limit of 34 ministries in the government.
Reward for support
