President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, only days into its tenure, is already grappling with a series of controversies that threaten to overshadow his Cabinet’s initial momentum. Within 24 hours of Prabowo’s inauguration on October 20, two of his recently appointed ministers sparked significant public backlash — one with an exorbitant budget demand and the other with a breach of protocol involving personal event invitations on government letterhead. These controversies have drawn widespread criticism, revealing deeper challenges within Prabowo’s administration and the political compromises that shaped his expansive Cabinet.
The first controversy erupted on October 21 when newly appointed Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai publicly criticized his ministry’s budget allocation of 64 billion rupiah (USD $4 million), arguing that his department needed closer to 20 trillion rupiah (USD $1.2 billion) annually to function effectively. “The dream, vision, and wishes of the Indonesian president will not be fulfilled with only 64 billion,” Pigai stated, as quoted by BBC Indonesia. His remarks provoked sharp responses from lawmakers and commentators alike.
Politicians, including Andreas Hugo Pareira from the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), condemned the move, stating that such demands should be addressed through internal government discussions rather than public appeals. “Any significant budget increase for one ministry will impact the funding for essential sectors like education, health, and infrastructure,” said Pareira on October 24, underscoring the potential consequences of Pigai’s demand.
President Prabowo has not directly responded to Pigai’s statements, but analysts suggest that Pigai’s call for a 300-fold budget increase reflects a broader issue within the administration: a highly ambitious Cabinet trying to push boundaries early on.
The controversy surrounding Pigai was soon followed by another involving Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto, who used official government letterheads to issue invitations for a family memorial event marking his late mother’s death anniversary. When questioned about the appropriateness of using government resources for a personal event, Susanto claimed that he was unaware his staff had used official letterhead for the invitations. “I am still new to being a minister. I am still learning,” he stated on October 23, as quoted by the Bisnis Indonesia news portal.
The incident raised concerns about professionalism and accountability in Prabowo’s newly minted Cabinet. Critics argue that even minor actions can impact public trust, and that ministers should exercise caution when handling government resources. Susanto’s explanation has not fully placated his critics, who view the misstep as indicative of a deeper problem of accountability in Prabowo’s administration.
Both incidents highlight the complexities of Prabowo’s Cabinet, the largest since the 1960s, comprising 116 positions, including 48 ministers, 56 vice ministers, five agency chiefs, and seven special envoys. The move to create an unusually large Cabinet, in stark contrast to former President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s more streamlined administration of 34 ministers and 17 vice ministers, has led many to speculate about Prabowo’s underlying motives.
Political analysts suggest that Prabowo’s “Red and White” Cabinet was designed to solidify alliances and reward supporters from his 11-party coalition. Only 20 members of Prabowo’s Cabinet are technocrats and academics; the remaining positions are held by politicians, business figures, and even military associates from his past defense ministry role. While this approach strengthens political support, it has raised concerns about the Cabinet’s efficacy and cohesion. “With such a large, diverse Cabinet, Prabowo’s administration risks internal divisions and reduced effectiveness,” said Hendri Satrio, a political analyst at Jakarta’s Paramadina University.
To address these potential rifts, Prabowo convened a three-day retreat for Cabinet members at a Central Java military academy. However, the decision to organize a military-style retreat — where civilian ministers donned camouflage fatigues, trained alongside military personnel, and even marched in formation — stirred further controversy. Critics questioned the appropriateness of imposing military discipline on civilian officials responsible for policies affecting Indonesia’s 270 million citizens. “These ministers are civilian officials tasked with creating policies for civilians, not soldiers. A military setting is unnecessary and potentially counterproductive,” argued Al Araf, a military observer from Brawijaya University.
One of Prabowo’s main arguments for creating new ministerial roles was to increase efficiency by narrowing the scope of each minister’s duties. For instance, the Ministry of Education and Culture was divided into three separate entities: Basic Education, Higher Education, and Culture. However, critics argue that political considerations may have driven the Cabinet expansion more than efficiency concerns. “This expansion has increased administrative expenses and risks redundancy in roles,” said Dr. Tauhid Ahmad from the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance. New ministries, he pointed out, come with substantial operational costs, from staffing and salaries to office setup and maintenance.
The Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency estimates that expanding the Cabinet could increase government payroll expenses by 20-30%. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto has stated that new Cabinet members must work within the existing budget until a new financial plan is implemented. This situation could lead to budget strains as ministries attempt to fulfill new functions with limited funding, especially amid ambitious projects and promises.
Prabowo’s desire for political stability is evident in his efforts to unite a broad coalition that includes not only established political parties but also key business figures, celebrities, and pro-democracy activists. By strategically distributing positions across these varied interest groups, Prabowo effectively limits potential opposition. “The Cabinet size reflects a deliberate strategy to ensure political support across different sectors, leaving the administration largely unopposed in both parliament and among the public,” noted Arya Fernandes of the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Some analysts, however, worry that the lack of robust opposition could weaken checks and balances on the government. Constitutional law expert Feri Amsari of Andalas University noted that in the absence of opposition parties with substantial influence in parliament, there is limited recourse for citizens to express discontent or challenge government decisions. Of the seven parties not part of Prabowo’s Cabinet, only the PDI-P and Nasdem hold seats in parliament. While PDI-P remains ambiguous about its stance, Nasdem has indicated support for Prabowo’s policies, despite not holding Cabinet positions.
Prabowo’s policy goals include ambitious projects inherited from Jokowi’s administration, particularly the relocation of Indonesia’s capital to Nusantara on Borneo. In addition, he pledged to provide free meals to children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers nationwide and to construct 3 million low-income housing units each year. These social initiatives carry a projected combined cost of $54 billion annually, sparking concerns about their financial feasibility.
To finance these goals, Prabowo plans to raise Indonesia’s debt-to-GDP ratio by seeking additional domestic and international loans, increasing it from 40% to nearly 50% over the next five years. This increase follows a recent jump from 30% pre-pandemic levels due to COVID-19 spending. Economic analyst Bhima Yudhistira warns that with debt set to mature in the coming years, Prabowo’s team must navigate carefully to prevent fiscal strain. “These new programs could lead to budget deficits if they’re not managed with extreme fiscal discipline,” said Yudhistira.
The presence of seasoned figures from Jokowi’s Cabinet in Prabowo’s administration, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, has reassured some investors of policy continuity. However, some argue that an increase in vice-ministerial appointments — with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani now working alongside three deputies, including Prabowo’s nephew Thomas Djiwandono — could slow down bureaucratic processes rather than streamline them.
The early controversies surrounding Prabowo’s Cabinet suggest that balancing political alliances with effective governance will be a central challenge for his administration. Critics argue that a larger Cabinet may complicate the decision-making process and increase the risk of inefficiency. Prabowo’s vision for Indonesia, with lofty promises of economic growth and infrastructural development, will require cohesion and discipline within his administration to succeed.
Ultimately, Prabowo’s administration faces a critical test. With both budget constraints and a politically intricate Cabinet, the president’s early moves will set the tone for the next five years. As the controversies continue to unfold, Indonesians are watching closely to see if Prabowo’s administration can overcome internal divisions and deliver on its ambitious agenda.
