Jakarta – A recent survey conducted by Jakarta-based pollster Indo Barometer has found Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to be among the most well-known members of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's current Cabinet.
In the poll, conducted from Jan. 9 to 15, 1,200 respondents were asked to name the first Cabinet member who came to mind, with 18.4 percent naming Prabowo. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani came in second, being named by 10.4 percent of respondents.
"I think it's only logical given that [Prabowo] was a two-time presidential candidate," Indo Barometer executive director Muhammad Qodari said in a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday.
Other ministers found to have high name recognition among respondents included State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir at 8.2 percent; Coordinating Legal, Political, and Human Rights Minister Mahfud MD at 7.9 percent; Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makariem at 5.3 percent; and Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan at 5.2 percent.
The least well-known ministers according to the survey are Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo (2.5 percent) and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung (2.2 percent).
Prabowo also had the best job approval among Jokowi's Cabinet members at 26.8 percent, followed by Sri Mulyani and Erick, at 13.9 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively.
Qodari noted that Prabowo had maintained his political standing and relevance since taking office as a minister under Jokowi. (rfa/mfp)