JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo reshuffled his cabinet on Monday, just weeks before his departure, to ensure a smooth transition to his successor, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, his office announced.
Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, will step down in October after leaving office with high approval ratings due to his successful economic management during the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Monday, Jokowi appointed new ministers for law and human rights, energy and mineral resources, and investment. He also named new heads for the food and drug agency and the newly established national nutrition agency.
Former investment minister Bahlil Lahadalia, a close aide and supporter of Jokowi, was appointed as the new Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. This move aligns with Jokowi’s focus on increasing nickel production. Rosan Roeslani, who led Prabowo’s presidential campaign, succeeded Bahlil as the new Minister of Investment, while Supratman Andi Agtas, a member of Prabowo’s Gerindra party, was appointed Minister of Law and Human Rights.
Ari Dwipayana, coordinator of the president’s special staff, stated that these appointments were made to ensure a smooth, orderly, and effective transition to the new government.
The creation of the national nutrition agency supports Prabowo’s major campaign promise to provide free meals to schoolchildren, a multibillion-dollar initiative.
Yunarto Wijaya, executive director of Charta Politika, noted that the new ministers were closely associated with Prabowo and approved by Jokowi, suggesting potential political motivations behind the appointments.
Jokowi, who grew up in modest conditions in a riverside slum on Java, recently praised his administration’s achievements in his final state of the nation address, highlighting economic, development, and infrastructure successes.
Having served the maximum two terms, Jokowi will leave office after defeating Prabowo in the 2014 and 2019 elections. Prabowo’s recent victory, with Jokowi’s eldest son as his vice presidential candidate, raised concerns about nepotism.
Prabowo, bolstered by Jokowi’s support and that of his family, has promised to continue the popular economic policies. However, one of Jokowi’s significant legacy projects—a $32 billion planned capital city on Borneo island—is facing delays and funding challenges.
