Indonesia's Cabinet reshuffle signals power shift ahead of new government

Gerindra poised to become dominant party while Jokowi ensures allies get key posts

- Arlina Arshad

Outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo reshuffled his Cabinet on Aug 19, signalling a significant power shift as elite politicians consolidate their positions ahead of the new government taking office in October.

Mr Supratman Andi Agtas, a politician from President-elect Prabowo Subianto's Gerindra party, replaces Mr Yasonna Laoly from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) as Law and Human Rights Minister. Mr Angga Raka Prabowo, also from Gerindra, has been appointed Vice-Minister of Communications and Information, alongside current Vice-Minister Nezar Patria.

Two men who actively campaigned for Mr Prabowo in the February presidential election have been given prominent roles.

Investment minister Bahlil Lahadalia, an ally of both Mr Widodo and Mr Prabowo, is now Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, replacing Mr Arifin Tasrif, an experienced bureaucrat with close ties to the family of PDI-P's chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who has clashed with Mr Widodo over political differences.

Former investment banker Rosan Roeslani takes over Mr Bahlil's investment portfolio.

The message behind the changes is clear: Gerindra is poised to become the dominant party in the new government, while PDI-P is being sidelined for supporting Mr Prabowo's rival, former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, in the presidential election.

While Mr Widodo and his son, Vice-President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, have been affiliated with the PDI-P, certain party elites now view them as no longer associated with the party.

"The incoming government expects political parties to clash over leadership roles. Appointing a Gerindra politician as the law and human rights minister is a strategic move to quickly resolve disputes and maintain control. It's crucial to have someone from Gerindra leading the ministry," political analyst Dedi Kurnia Syah told The Straits Times.