Tenggara Strategics, Jakarta – In a strategic move to ensure a seamless transition of power, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has appointed three new deputy ministers closely linked to his political ally and successor, president-elect Prabowo Subianto.
Among the new appointees is Prabowo's nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, who has been named deputy finance minister. This appointment not only underscores the alliance between Jokowi and Prabowo, but also positions Thomas as a strong contender for the future role of finance minister in his uncle's cabinet. As these appointments aim to promote stability and continuity in governance, they also highlight the growing influence of Prabowo's inner circle in shaping Indonesia's political landscape.
Thomas was appointed on July 18 along with Sudaryono, Gerindra Party deputy chairman for the Central Java Regional Leadership Council (DPD), as deputy agriculture minister, as well as a seasoned member of the Investment Coordinating Board, Yuliot Tanjung.
Following the appointment, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati announced that the ministry now had two deputies. Thomas will be in charge of crafting the state budget plan for 2025, which will be Prabowo's first as president, while Suahasil Nazara will concentrate on managing the budget for this year at least until the end of the Jokowi administration. Thomas is known to be Prabowo's principal economic advisor and met with Sri Mulyani in June to discuss the draft 2025 state budget in his capacity as part of his uncle's transition team. He also made his first public appearance on June 24 in an attempt to allay market worries about the future administration's commitment to budget prudence.
The appointment of three deputy ministers just months before the end of Jokowi's final term has been viewed as an indication of the government's lack of meritocracy in selecting public officials. It is also seen as wasteful of the budget and politically charged considering that Sudaryono was running for governor in Central Java. Having been made deputy agriculture minister, it is presumed that this political move was strategically designed to pave the way for Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) chairman and Jokowi's youngest son Kaesang Pangarep's candidacy in the province. Thomas' appointment especially has sparked debate. On one hand, positions in the Finance Ministry are typically filled by seasoned technocrats. On the other, fiscal management innovation is considered necessary to stimulate economic growth.
Some worry that because of the uncannily similar traits with the New Order, which institutionalized nepotism, his appointment to the new strategic office will incite negative sentiment about Indonesia's economy. Because of its importance and degree of investor interest, the Finance Ministry has always given precedence to not only technically qualified but also nonpartisan candidates.
In addition, investors will be watching who Prabowo will name as his finance minister. If Thomas retains his post as deputy minister by the time Prabowo takes office, the top job should ideally go to a seasoned economist of Sri Mulyani's caliber. According to Prabowo's transition team head and Gerindra Party lawmaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Thomas will remain in the same post when Prabowo takes office in October. Thomas' appointment is also seen as a novel strategy that shows how closely Jokowi and Prabowo are working together to ensure a smooth transition.
For Thomas, the new role will also allow him to learn the ropes and adapt to the various fiscal problems facing Indonesia and to soften the possible economic rumble that may arise along with the transition of power. Some have also said that Thomas might earn the chance to be considered as a future finance minister.
What we've heard
A Gerindra politician said the appointment of two Gerindra politicians as deputy ministers was part of an agreement between Jokowi and Prabowo to facilitate the government transition. "President Jokowi has been very accommodative to Prabowo's requests," said this source.
The source explained that the transition process began even before the appointment of. Thomas, who had several held meetings with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani to synchronize the budget allocation for the 2025 fiscal year. The source confirmed that Thomas's appointment was meant to ensure that the budget for the free meals program was accommodated.
Regarding Sudaryono, his appointment as the deputy agriculture minister is intended to prepare the technical implementation of the free meals program. The logistics for this program will fall under the Agriculture Ministry.
However, the source also said Sudaryono was given the key post to prevent him from running for governor in Central Java, while the Palace has prepared the provincial police chief Insp. Gen. Ahmad Luthfi as candidate.
"Sudaryono and Kaesang cannot compete against each other in Central Java," said the source.
[This content is provided by Tenggara Strategics in collaboration with The Jakarta Post to serve the latest comprehensive and reliable analysis on Indonesia's political and business landscape.]