Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, denied speculation that President Prabowo Subianto's recent cabinet reshuffle targeted figures close to former president Joko Widodo.
"There are no specific individuals being represented. These are the best sons of the Indonesian nation," said Prasetyo, who also serves as the president's spokesperson, at the Presidential Palace Complex in Central Jakarta on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Prabowo inaugurated four new ministers and one deputy minister in the Red and White Cabinet. One appointment followed the change in status of the Hajj Organizing Agency (BP) into a ministry, while others came as replacements for outgoing ministers.
Those dismissed included Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law, and Security Budi Gunawan, Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo, Minister of Manpower Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers Abdul Kadir Karding, and Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie Setiadi.
They were succeeded by Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as finance minister, Mukhtarudin as minister of manpower protection for migrant workers, and Ferry Juliantono as cooperatives minister.
Budi Arie, one of the ministers replaced, is known as a staunch supporter of Jokowi, having led the Projo volunteer group in the 2014 presidential election before joining Jokowi's cabinet as minister of communication and information.
Two posts remain unfilled. Prasetyo explained that Prabowo has yet to appoint a definitive replacement for coordinating minister for politics, law, and security, and will temporarily assign an interim official. The youth and sports portfolio also remains vacant, as the designated candidate was unable to attend the inauguration.
"They will be sworn in at the next inauguration ceremony," Prasetyo said.
– Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.