Cabinet Reshuffle Follows Week of Protests Across Indonesia

Shortly after the nationwide protests, President Prabowo Subianto announced a major cabinet reshuffle - the second one after his inauguration. Among the most notable changes was the new Finance Minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who previously served as the Head of Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS). Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Budi Gunawan was replaced by Djamari Chaniago. Additionally, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Minister Dito Ariotedjo was replaced by former Minister of State-Owned Enterprise, Erick Thohir.
The reshuffle was seen as one of the first steps in a strategy to gain public trust and appease public anger over widening inequality, lawmakers’ generous housing allowances, and the killing of a motorcycle taxi driver by police during a protest. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the reshuffle came after “various considerations and evaluations,” expressing hope the new lineup would benefit the nation. In addition to the ministerial changes, Prabowo also established a new Hajj and Umrah Ministry to take over hajj management from the Religious Affairs Ministry starting next year, furthering expansion of the Merah Putih Cabinet despite the aim for government efficiency.