Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi dismissed rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle within the Red and White coalition. He clarified that the restructuring underway pertains to the Golkar Party's internal leadership, led by Chair Bahlil Lahadalia.
"It's not happening. The reshuffle is Pak Bahlil's initiative within the Golkar Party leadership. Absolutely no [planned cabinet reshuffle]," he told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Prasetyo also addressed speculation about the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) potentially joining the Red and White Cabinet following the meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and PDIP Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri.
While admitting he did not know the specifics of their conversation, Prasetyo doubted it involved PDIP joining the government. He further stated that not all parties need to be part of the government, acknowledging Megawati's role at BRIN. "Even in her capacity as BRIN director, there are no issues with PDIP," he added.
Earlier, Golkar Party Chair Bahlil Lahadalia had announced plans for a leadership reshuffle within the party during a post-Ramadan gathering. He likened this internal restructuring to a cabinet reshuffle, emphasizing the need for timely changes if officials are unsuitable.
"There may be officials who are not suitable for their tasks, so we make a change. The Golkar Party is a national asset and belongs to all of us," Bahlil stated on Wednesday evening, April 16, 2025, at the Golkar Party Office in West Jakarta.
Speculation about a Red and White cabinet reshuffle intensified after the Prabowo-Megawati meeting on April 7, 2025.
Tempo Newspaper's April 14, 2025, edition reported that Didit Prabowo was sent to Megawati to facilitate PDIP joining the government, suggesting PDIP sought one ministerial and three deputy minister positions.
Gerindra Party founder Rahmat Harahap claimed to have heard rumors of an impending reshuffle, speculating that Presidential Communication Director Hasan Nasbi might be replaced following his controversial remarks regarding the pig's head incident at Tempo. Tempo's attempts to reach Hasan for confirmation were unsuccessful by the time of this publication.
– Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article.