Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto announces largest-ever Cabinet with 109 members

President Prabowo Subianto unveils Indonesia's largest-ever Cabinet, aiming for a strong government with 109 members.

Newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto announced Indonesia's largest-ever Cabinet on Sunday (October 20, 2024), with 109 members representing his pledge for a strong government. He named his Cabinet of Ministers, Vice-Ministers and head of national agencies the “Red and White Cabinet”, referring to the colours of Indonesia's flag.

Mr. Subianto became the eighth president of Southeast Asia's largest economy on Sunday (October 20, 2024). The Cabinet of Mr. Subianto's predecessor Joko Widodo had 34 Ministers and head of government agencies.

Mr. Subianto has said earlier that he needs a strong administration, even though analysts said that his “fat” Cabinet would bloat the bureaucracy.

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“I want to create a strong government that would unite our multicultural society and diverse political interests,” Mr. Subianto said before inviting more than 100 people for interviews at his residence last week. “It must be a big coalition and some will say my Cabinet is fat.”

The Cabinet features politicians from a coalition of seven parties who supported his victory in the February election and figures allied with Mr. Widodo's Cabinet, who were reappointed to continue their jobs under Mr. Subianto's Presidency. Analysts said the move was a political reward to Mr. Widodo for the latter's tacit support in the election.

Mr. Subianto was sworn in with his new Vice-President, 37-year-old Surakarta former Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka. He chose Raka, who is Mr. Widodo's son, as his running mate, with Mr. Widodo favouring Mr. Subianto over the candidate of his own former party.