Former military general Prabowo Subianto, 73, has been inaugurated as Indonesia’s eighth president, unveiling the country’s largest cabinet since the 1960s. Despite longstanding allegations of human rights abuses, Prabowo was sworn in on Sunday, marking the end of Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) decade-long leadership that was characterized by economic growth and infrastructure development.
After two previous failed attempts, Prabowo secured the presidency with over 58% of the vote in February’s election, defeating two rivals. In his inaugural speech, Prabowo pledged to combat corruption and poverty, emphasizing his commitment to serve all Indonesians.
“We must always remember that a free nation is where the people are free,” Prabowo said in his nearly hour-long, passionate address. “They must be freed from fear, poverty, hunger, ignorance, oppression, and suffering.”
Prabowo was sworn in alongside his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi’s eldest son. Following the inauguration, he announced a cabinet of 48 ministers and 58 vice-ministers, a significant increase from Jokowi’s 34 ministers and 30 vice-ministers.
Notably, Prabowo reappointed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, signaling a degree of continuity in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. “Indonesia is facing considerable challenges in the current global landscape,” Prabowo noted, stressing the need for experienced leadership.
Political scientist Burhanuddin Muhtadi told Reuters that the reappointments reflect Prabowo’s desire to avoid risks. “That’s why he chose key figures who served under Jokowi,” he explained.
However, some experts raised concerns about the efficiency of an expanded cabinet. Lina Miftahul Jannah, a public policy scholar, told BBC Indonesian that a “fat cabinet” could slow down decision-making and add unnecessary bureaucracy.
The cabinet will be sworn in on Monday, followed by a three-day retreat at a military academy in central Java. The ministers and deputies will sleep in tents as part of an effort to foster unity and align with Prabowo’s vision for the nation.
