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Analysis: Deputy ministers: Jokowi bridges the future
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President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo talks to The Jakarta Post's journalists during an interview at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Nov. 2. (JP/Abdur Rahim)
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n a strategic move to ensure a seamless transition of power, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has appointed three new deputy ministers closely linked to his political ally and successor, president-elect Prabowo Subianto.
Among the new appointees is Prabowo's nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, who has been named deputy finance minister. This appointment not only underscores the alliance between Jokowi and Prabowo, but also positions Thomas as a strong contender for the future role of finance minister in his uncle's cabinet. As these appointments aim to promote stability and continuity in governance, they also highlight the growing influence of Prabowo's inner circle in shaping Indonesia's political landscape.
Thomas was appointed on July 18 along with Sudaryono, Gerindra Party deputy chairman for the Central Java Regional Leadership Council (DPD), as deputy agriculture minister, as well as a seasoned member of the Investment Coordinating Board, Yuliot Tanjung.
Following the appointment, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati announced that the ministry now had two deputies. Thomas will be in charge of crafting the state budget plan for 2025, which will be Prabowo's first as president, while Suahasil Nazara will concentrate on managing the budget for this year at least until the end of the Jokowi administration. Thomas is known to be Prabowo’s principal economic advisor and met with Sri Mulyani in June to discuss the draft 2025 state budget in his capacity as part of his uncle’s transition team. He also made his first public appearance on June 24 in an attempt to allay market worries about the future administration’s commitment to budget prudence.
The appointment of three deputy ministers just months before the end of Jokowi’s final term has been viewed as an indication of the government’s lack of meritocracy in selecting public officials. It is also seen as wasteful of the budget and politically charged considering that Sudaryono was running for governor in Central Java. Having been made deputy agriculture minister, it is presumed that this political move was strategically designed to pave the way for Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) chairman and Jokowi’s youngest son Kaesang Pangarep’s candidacy in the province. Thomas’ appointment especially has sparked debate. On one hand, positions in the Finance Ministry are typically filled by seasoned technocrats. On the other, fiscal management innovation is considered necessary to stimulate economic growth.
Some worry that because of the uncannily similar traits with the New Order, which institutionalized nepotism, his appointment to the new strategic office will incite negative sentiment about Indonesia's economy. Because of its importance and degree of investor interest, the Finance Ministry has always given precedence to not only technically qualified but also nonpartisan candidates.
In addition, investors will be watching who Prabowo will name as his finance minister. If Thomas retains his post as deputy minister by the time Prabowo takes office, the top job should ideally go to a seasoned economist of Sri Mulyani’s caliber. According to Prabowo’s transition team head and Gerindra Party lawmaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Thomas will remain in the same post when Prabowo takes office in October. Thomas’ appointment is also seen as a novel strategy that shows how closely Jokowi and Prabowo are working together to ensure a smooth transition.
