Indonesia’s Prabowo unveils ‘fat cabinet’ filled with allies – will it lead to red tape?

President Prabowo Subianto says his cabinet of 48 ministries, which has 109 members, is representative of people across Indonesia

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto congratulates Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan during an inauguration in Jakarta on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:32pm, 21 Oct 2024Updated: 5:14pm, 21 Oct 2024

Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated one of the country’s largest-ever cabinets on Monday with the move seen as a bid to accommodate allies but one that could lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies.

The former defence minister was sworn in as president on Sunday and officially appointed the following morning his “Red and White Cabinet” of 48 ministries, comprising a total of 109 members.

He took on the mantle of leadership from Joko Widodo, who stepped down after a decade in office. Widodo’s last cabinet comprised only 34 ministers.

Prabowo, 73, has stated that a “fat cabinet” is essential for a strong and united government, but analysts say its size reflects his efforts to consolidate power and reward allies within his broad coalition.

“I want to create a strong government that would unite our multicultural society and diverse political interests,” Prabowo said. “I have to embrace all groups – there must be representatives from eastern, western and central Indonesia.”

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto walks in to lead the inauguration of his ministers in Jakarta on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Since Prabowo won the election in February by a landslide, the chairman of Gerindra has been forming alliances with political parties that once opposed him. His Advanced Indonesia Coalition is backed by seven parties, excluding the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).