Mr Gibran emphasized the commitment of the Prabowo administration to ensuring the effectiveness of the free lunch programme for school children, while also cautioning patience from the public on the issue and the potential formation of additional ministries. Vice-chairman of Gerindra, Mr Habiburokhman, stated that the idea of a larger Cabinet for the incoming administration seemed reasonable given Indonesia’s size and the magnitude of challenges faced by the country. The possibility of appointing additional ministerial portfolios was not ruled out by Gerindra.
Outgoing President Widodo refrained from commenting on the issue of an expanded Cabinet, stating that it was a decision to be made by the incoming president and vice-president. He denied rumors that he had advised Mr Prabowo on the matter and emphasized that questions regarding the future Cabinet should be directed to the president-elect. Speculation about an expanded Cabinet has raised concerns among some political figures, including Mr Prabowo’s former rival Anies Baswedan. Mr Anies stressed the importance of adhering to existing laws, which currently cap the total number of ministries at 34.
Former Vice-President Jusuf Kalla echoed Mr Anies’s sentiments, cautioning against the “politicization” of increased ministerial positions in the Cabinet. He called for a focus on implementing government programs rather than solely increasing the number of Cabinet positions. Mr Kalla expressed hope that any additional ministerial appointments were based on government needs rather than just accommodating the interests of Mr Prabowo’s supporters. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing programs over numbers when considering the expansion of the Cabinet.
The discussion surrounding an expanded administration was seen as a largely political move by Mr Jusuf, who advocated for a focus on the effectiveness and implementation of government programs. He advised against being fixated on numbers and instead prioritizing the needs of the government when making ministerial appointments. It was hoped that providing additional ministerial positions would not simply be for political reasons but rather for the improvement and execution of government initiatives. The key focus should be on the successful implementation of programs rather than on the number of ministerial positions in the Cabinet.
