Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – A coalition of Indonesian academics and civil society activists has established what it calls the country's first citizen-led shadow cabinet, appointing 15 ministers to serve as a counterweight to President Prabowo Subianto's Red and White Cabinet.
Feri Amsari, chairperson of the Shadow Cabinet Selection Committee, said the 15 ministers were chosen from 121 applicants through what organizers described as a rigorous and transparent selection process.
"This marks the establishment of the first shadow cabinet born from the initiative of the Indonesian people," Feri said in a statement on Sunday, July 19.
Why was the shadow cabinet formed?
According to Feri, the initiative emerged from concerns over weakening checks and balances on the executive branch under President Prabowo's administration.
He argued that nearly all major political forces currently support the government, leaving no formal opposition capable of effectively scrutinizing government policies.
"There is no formal opposition strong enough to balance the policies of the Red and White Cabinet," said Feri, who was appointed shadow minister of state secretary.
He said the political vacuum prompted academics, activists, and members of the public to create a "people's opposition" platform based on meritocracy rather than political power-sharing.
"The Shadow Cabinet is not a rival government seeking power," Feri said. "It is a platform for oversight and the development of evidence-based alternative policies. It is non-partisan and operates on a pro bono basis."
Tempo has contacted State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya for comment on the formation of the shadow cabinet but had not received a response at the time of publication.
How were the shadow ministers selected?
The selection process for shadow ministers began on May 12 and was overseen by an independent panel comprising former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chairman Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, constitutional law expert Bivitri Susanti, and legal scholar Zainal Arifin Mochtar.
Organizers said candidates were evaluated based on six criteria: integrity, competence and public track record, being under the age of 50, courage and critical thinking, a demonstrated commitment to public interests, and non-affiliation with political parties.
What will the shadow cabinet do?
Under the initiative, each shadow minister will monitor and provide alternative policy proposals corresponding to a minister in Prabowo's cabinet.
"Every policy issued by the government will be assessed alongside proposals from the corresponding shadow minister, rather than merely receiving general criticism without clear alternatives," Feri said.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2114409/why-did-civil-society-form-a-shadow-cabinet-to-counter-prabowos-gov