Cabinet reshuffle raises more questions than answers

The lack of a justification for President Prabowo Subianto 's cabinet reshuffle has raised more questions than answers. The effectiveness of the reshuffle is questionable since two key positions, the coordinating political and security affairs minister and the youth and sports minister, remain unfilled.

The changes saw the creation of a new Haj and Umrah Ministry, led by Mochamad Irfan Yusuf from Nahdlatul Ulama and his deputy Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak from the Gerindra party.

The new ministry was formed after the passage of the Haj Law, which elevated the Haj Organizing Agency to ministerial status.

The reshuffle also altered the political balance within the cabinet. The National Awakening Party (PKB), a minority ally in the ruling coalition, gave up a seat when Abdul Kadir Karding was removed from his post as migrant workers protection minister. Golkar politician Mukhtarudin replaced him in the role.

Golkar, the second-largest party in the House of Representatives, also lost a cabinet seat when Prabowo dismissed Dito Ariotedjo as youth affairs and sports minister.

Meanwhile, Budi Arie was replaced as cooperatives minister by his deputy, Ferry Juliantono, a Gerindra politician.

Budi Arie faced pressure to resign as a result of two primary accusations. He allegedly allowed online gambling during his time as the then communications and information minister, and he failed to provide a viable business model for Prabowo’s flagship rural Red and White Cooperatives program.

Like Dito, Budi Gunawan was dismissed as coordinating political and security affairs minister without a successor.

Budi has ties to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, who recently pledged support for the government, albeit without seeking cabinet representation.

Prabowo has not chosen a replacement for Budi, but instructed Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to take over as interim minister.

The President is also reportedly vetting several names who will replace Dito. Among the potential candidates include Golkar politician Puteri Anetta Komarudin, a Commission XI member and daughter of former House speaker Ade Komarudin.

The reshuffle also saw Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, the former chair of the supervisory council of the Indonesian Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), replace Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister. Purbaya was not widely rumored for the position, and Prabowo's nephew, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono, was passed over for the role.

Sri Mulyani, who had served for 14 years across three presidencies, was replaced amid speculation about her resignation, which increased after her home in Bintaro, South Tangerang, was looted during recent riots.

With no substantial explanation from the President regarding the cabinet shake-up, the public has been left to speculate on the motives behind it.

Some analysts interpret the moves as an effort to reduce the influence of former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo's allies, such as Budi Arie.

However, several prominent Jokowi-era officials remain in their posts.

Others have speculated that the recent riots in major cities may have contributed to Budi’s dismissal.

As Prabowo approaches his first year in office, the public anticipates further cabinet changes as he seeks to consolidate power and evaluate ministerial performance.