The Red and White Cabinet: Strategic Continuity and Ambition in Prabowo’s Indonesia

With the unveiling of his “Red and White Cabinet,” President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka have set a bold course for Indonesia’s future, poised to shape the nation’s path over the next five years.

Named as a tribute to the colors of Indonesia’s national flag, this cabinet symbolizes the president’s vision for unity, resilience, and progress on both domestic and global stages. In a formal announcement at the historic Merdeka Palace, President Prabowo outlined his administration’s commitment to three core pillars: driving economic growth, advancing sustainability, and strengthening national unity.

The formation of the “Red and White Cabinet” also reflects Indonesia’s broad political coalition, which has led to a notably larger government structure. As President Prabowo navigates a coalition of diverse political parties, he has made strategic appointments to accommodate various interests, ensuring that each coalition partner has a voice in the administration. This expansive approach is intended to maintain political stability, foster collaboration, and secure unified support for Prabowo’s agenda across party lines.

Indonesia’s government under President Prabowo includes a total of 48 ministers, 7 of whom are coordinating ministers. Additionally, there are 56 deputy ministers and 5 heads of bodies with ministerial status, bringing the total cabinet members to 109. This structure marks a significant increase from President Joko Widodo’s administration, which had 34 ministers. The recent expansion was made possible by a parliamentary amendment that removed the legal cap on the number of ministries, allowing for a more extensive cabinet to support Prabowo’s initiatives and priorities.

Increasing the number of coordinating ministries

The Prabowo-Gibran government has increased the number of coordinating ministries from four in the previous government to seven.

Coordinating Ministries are specialized government bodies tasked with overseeing key areas of national interest. They are headed by their minister.

Established by Presidential Regulations, these bodies operate under clearly defined duties and responsibilities, specifying which ministries they oversee and manage.

Their role is to synchronize the efforts of various ministries, ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and remain aligned with the country’s development agenda. For instance, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs is responsible for the following ministries:

• Ministry of Home Affairs;
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Ministry of Defence;
• Ministry of Law and Human Rights;
• Ministry of Communication and Informatics;
• Attorney General;
• National Armed Forces (TNI) and
• National Police (POLRI).

Under the Prabowo government, the Coordinating Ministries are the following:

1. Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs

• Focus: National security, foreign relations, defense, law, and human rights.
• Oversees: Ministries involved in internal security, foreign affairs, and defense.
• Coordinates: The TNI POLRI, and other security agencies.

2. Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs

• Focus: Economic stability, growth, and sectoral development.
• Oversees: Key economic sectors such as trade, industry, energy, and tourism.
• Goal: Promote sustainable economic policies aligned with Indonesia’s development agenda.

3. Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture

• Focus: Education, health, social welfare, and cultural growth.
• Oversees: Ministries of Health, Education, Social Affairs, and Religious Affairs.
• Goal: Enhance quality of life and promote cultural values across the nation.

4. Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment

• Focus: Sustainable maritime resources, infrastructure, and investment.
• Oversees: Policies related to maritime management, infrastructure projects, and investment strategies.
• Goal: Strengthen Indonesia’s position as a maritime nation and drive investment.

5. Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment

• Focus: Social welfare, community development, and migrant worker protection.
• Oversees: Programs aimed at empowering communities and ensuring worker rights.
• Goal: Improve social welfare and protect Indonesia’s overseas workforce.

6. Coordinating Ministry for Food Security

• Focus: National food security and nutrition.
• Oversees: Sectors including agriculture, fisheries, and nutrition initiatives.
• Goal: Ensure reliable access to nutritious food for all Indonesians.

The establishment of new ministries and the restructuring of existing ones were designed to improve governance efficiency and tackle Indonesia’s complex challenges.

Although there are concerns about potential inefficiencies and overlapping responsibilities, supporters contend that the additional coordinating ministries enhance communication and streamline coordination across the many ministries and government agencies.

Who are the Coordinating Ministers?

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs – Budi Gunawan

Budi Gunawan has had a distinguished career in Indonesian security and intelligence. He served as Head of the Indonesian State Intelligence Agency (BIN) (2016-2024), appointed by President Joko Widodo, where he modernized Indonesia’s intelligence framework, tackling issues like terrorism and cybercrime, and established new divisions to boost operational effectiveness. Prior to this, he was Deputy Chief of Police. Since 2020, Gunawan has also been Chairman of the Indonesian E-Sports Association (PB ESI.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs – Airlangga Hartarto

Airlangga Hartarto is a prominent Indonesian politician and businessman, currently serving. An influential member of the Golkar Party, he has held key roles including Minister of Industry and Chairman of Golkar.

Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Penitentiary Affairs – Yusril Ihza Mahendra

Yusril Ihza Mahendra is a notable Indonesian lawyer, politician, and academic, currently leading the Crescent Star Party (Partai Bulan Bintang, PBB) since 2015. He has previously served as Minister of Justice and Human Rights (2001-2007) and as State Secretary under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2004-2007). Yusril founded the PBB in 1998 to represent Islamic interests, positioning it as a successor to the Masyumi Party from the Sukarno era.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs – Pratikno

Pratikno is an Indonesian politician and academic currently serving as the Minister of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform in President Joko Widodo’s cabinet. Before entering politics, Pratikno had a distinguished academic career at Gadjah Mada University, specializing in public administration and political science. Appointed by President Widodo in 2014, he has since focused on streamlining Indonesia’s bureaucracy, improving efficiency, and enhancing public service delivery by reducing bureaucratic obstacles.

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development – Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono

Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) is an Indonesian politician and current leader of the Democratic Party, succeeding his father, former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in 2020. A graduate of the Indonesian Military Academy and former Army Major, AHY served in the military from 2000 to 2016, commanding units such as Jakarta’s 203 Arya Kamuning Infantry Battalion. In 2024, President Joko Widodo appointed him as Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning. AHY also founded the Yudhoyono Institute in 2017.

Coordinating Minister for People’s Empowerment – Muhaimin Iskandar

Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin or Gus Imin, is the chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), which he co-founded in 1998 with the late President Abdurrahman Wahid. Muhaimin has served multiple terms in the People’s Representative Council (DPR), holding roles like Deputy Speaker (1999-2009, 2018-2019). He was also Indonesia’s Minister of Manpower from 2009 to 2014 during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs – Zulkifli Hasan

Zulkifli Hasan, also known as Bang Zul, is an Indonesian politician and businessman. He is the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), where he previously served as Secretary General (2005-2010) and held various leadership roles. He was also a member of the House of Representatives (2005-2009) and served as Minister of Forestry (2009-2014), initiating programs like the One Billion Trees Planting Movement.

Other notable ministers in Prabowo’s government

Several notable ministers in President Prabowo Subianto’s government are carryovers from President Joko Widodo’s administration, reflecting a strategic continuity in key areas. There are also several new faces.

Sri Mulyani Indrawati – Minister of Finance

Sri Mulyani Indrawati initially held this position from 2005 to 2010, when she implemented significant fiscal reforms that stabilized the economy. Following her tenure, she joined the World Bank as Managing Director (2010-2016) before returning to lead Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance in 2016.

Bahlil Lahadalia – Minister of Energy

Bahlil Lahadalia, appointed as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources on August 21, 2024, by President Joko Widodo, is an Indonesian politician and former Minister of Investment (2019-2024), where he focused on enhancing investment and the business climate. Recently, he was elected as the new chairman of the Golkar Party, Indonesia’s second-largest political party, following the resignation of Airlangga Hartarto.

Erick Thohir – Minister of State-Owned Enterprises

Erick Thohir is an Indonesian businessman and politician who has been serving as Minister of State-Owned Enterprises since October 23, 2019. He is the founder of the Mahaka Group, a conglomerate with interests in media, sports, and entertainment. Thohir’s media ventures include ownership of tvOne and ANTV, and he has a notable history in sports, previously owning Italian football club Inter Milan (2013-2019) and American soccer team D.C. United (until 2018). He currently co-owns Oxford United in England and Liga 1’s Persis Solo in Indonesia.

Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin – Minister of Defence

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin is a seasoned military officer and politician with a distinguished career in Indonesia’s defense and political landscape. A graduate of the Indonesian Military Academy, he served in the Indonesian Army from 1974 to 2010, particularly within the elite Kopassus (special forces) unit. Throughout his military service, Sjafrie held various command and staff roles, including Commander of the Jayakarta Jaya Military Regional Command from 1997 to 1998, and was involved in key operations such as Operation Lotus, the Insurgency in Aceh, and the Papua conflict.

Rosan Roeslani – Minister of Investment

Rosan Perkasa Roeslani is an Indonesian politician, diplomat, and businessman. He co-founded Recapital Group in 1997, a financial firm that expanded into sectors like mining, infrastructure, and media. Roeslani served as Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) from 2015 to 2021. In October 2021, he was appointed as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United States, strengthening bilateral relations until July 2023.

Building on Jokowi’s legacy: Prabowo-Gibran’s vision for economic growth

Continuity is a key theme for the Prabowo-Gibran administration, promising to uphold many of Jokowi’s policies, including the development of downstream commodity sectors, infrastructure modernization, and a disciplined macroeconomic agenda. The government’s ban on exports of unprocessed nickel and bauxite, with plans to expand restrictions to other metals, has strengthened Indonesia’s role in the global resource supply chain, especially for electric vehicle batteries, resulting in increased exports. Additionally, Prabowo is committed to continuing the ambitious US$35 billion project of relocating the capital to the island of Borneo, approximately 2,000km from Jakarta.

The Prabowo-Gibran administration aims for an ambitious economic growth target of eight percent, alongside enhancing Indonesia’s energy self-sufficiency through biodiesel production from palm oil.

Moreover, Prabowo’s vision includes transforming Indonesia into an advanced and developed economy and integrating it into global value chains. This transformation requires regulatory changes to facilitate foreign investment, expanding the tax base, and deepening capital markets. For foreign enterprises and investors, Indonesia presents a substantial opportunity, backed by its large population of nearly 300 million, competitive labor market, rising incomes, and growing industrial potential, signaling a need for a long-term investment perspective.

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