Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto officially swore in his cabinet on Monday, signaling a continuation of key policies from his predecessor, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. Prabowo took office as the country’s eighth president, vowing to tackle corruption and pursue self-sufficiency in food and energy during a passionate address to lawmakers.
The new cabinet comprises 48 ministries and over 100 ministers and deputies, prominently featuring familiar faces such as Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who returns as finance minister, and Bahlil Lahadalia, who resumes his role as energy minister. Sri Mulyani is set to oversee one of Prabowo’s flagship initiatives: a program providing free meals to approximately 20 million children, estimated to cost the state budget around 71 trillion rupiah (approximately $4.6 billion) in the first year. This initiative is part of Prabowo’s broader strategy to maintain the annual fiscal deficit within a legislated ceiling of 3% of GDP.
A former World Bank managing director, Sri Mulyani has received acclaim for her efforts to reform Indonesia’s taxation system while serving under two previous presidents. Other significant re-appointments include Airlangga Hartarto as chief economic minister and Erick Thohir as minister for state-owned enterprises.
Analyst Burhanuddin Muhtadi noted that Prabowo’s decisions reflect a desire for political stability, stating, “Prabowo does not want to take further risks and that’s why he chose key figures that served under Jokowi.” This strategic continuity suggests an intention to build on Jokowi’s economic policies.
The new cabinet also includes Sugiono as foreign minister, a deputy from Prabowo’s political party who previously oversaw the parliamentary commission on foreign policy. Luhut Pandjaitan, Jokowi’s senior minister, will lead the National Economic Council, focusing on Indonesia’s mineral processing sector.
While the new cabinet preserves much of Jokowi’s framework, it also introduces changes, such as the separation of the education and culture ministries and the environment and forestry ministries.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, Prabowo engaged in discussions with China’s visiting Vice President Han Zheng, indicating a commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties. The new administration appears poised to balance continuity with strategic adaptations as Indonesia embarks on this new chapter under Prabowo’s leadership.