Indonesian President Prabowo Carries Out Second Cabinet Reshuffle in a Week

JAKARTA, Sept 17 (VoM): Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced another cabinet shake-up on Wednesday, marking the second major reshuffle in just a week as he moved to consolidate his administration amid mounting political and economic challenges.

At a swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Prabowo appointed retired three-star Army general Djamari Chaniago as the new Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs. The post was left vacant after Budi Gunawan’s removal last week and had been temporarily overseen by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Djamari, a former chief of the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) general staff from 2000 to 2004, brings back a strong military presence to one of the government’s most influential security portfolios, responsible for coordinating defense, police, and internal affairs.

In other changes, Erick Thohir, previously serving as Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE), was reassigned to lead the Youth and Sports Ministry. The position had been vacant since Dito Ariotedjo’s dismissal last week. Erick, who also chairs the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), leaves uncertainty over who will take over the crucial SOE ministry.

Additional appointments included Rohmat Marzuki, Gerindra Party treasurer for Central Java, as Deputy Forestry Minister, replacing Sulaiman Umar. Afriansyah Noor, of the Democratic Party and a former deputy manpower minister under Jokowi’s administration, was reinstated to the same role after Immanuel “Noel” Ebenezer’s dismissal amid a corruption probe. Muhammad Qodari, previously deputy chief of staff, was promoted to replace Anto M. Putranto as presidential chief of staff. Angga Raka, a Gerindra politician and campaign figure, was appointed Head of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), succeeding Hasan Nasbi. Farida Farichah, from the National Awakening Party (PKB), was named the newly created Deputy Cooperatives Minister. Sarah Sadiqa was promoted to head of the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP) from her previous role as deputy for strategy and policy. Ahmad Dofiri, retired deputy police chief, appointed as presidential expert staff for security and public order.

This marks Prabowo’s second reshuffle in as many weeks, following his dismissal of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and several others last week amid protests over economic management. The president also created a new haj affairs portfolio and its deputy ministership during that round of changes.

Since taking office earlier this year, Prabowo has already overhauled key portfolios, including appointing a new science minister in February. His rapid succession of reshuffles reflects efforts to tighten control over his administration while addressing unrest and dissatisfaction with government performance.