Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto Shakes Up Cabinet in Third Reshuffle This Month
President Prabowo Subianto appoints a new disaster agency chief amid a corruption probe, marking his third major government reshuffle in just over a month.
POLICY WIRE — Jakarta, Indonesia — President Prabowo Subianto announced a significant leadership change on Thursday, October 15, naming a new director for the nation’s disaster mitigation agency. This move marks the third time in just over a month that the president has reorganized his cabinet and senior official ranks.
Army General Kristomei Sianturi has been tapped to lead the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), taking over for Suharyanto. Sianturi previously served as the commander of the Radin Inten Regional Military Command, a position he held since August of last year.
The leadership transition occurs as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigates five suspects linked to the misuse of disaster preparedness funds at the agency. Among those identified in the probe is Bima Setyawan, the younger brother of the outgoing chief, Suharyanto.
Beyond the disaster agency, the president introduced several new deputy ministers, including appointments for the defense, agriculture, and immigration portfolios. Yusuf Jauhari and Richard Tampubolon were named deputy ministers of defense, while Alim Setiawan and M Maulana Bungaran were appointed to the agriculture and immigration ministries, respectively.
Satyawan Pudyatmoko, formerly the director-general of natural resources and ecosystem conservation at the forestry ministry, was selected to head the national peatland and mangrove management agency. Additionally, Tandyo Budi Revita was inaugurated as the new army chief-of-staff, succeeding Maruli Simanjuntak, who has transitioned to the role of deputy chief of the Indonesian military and head of the newly created national agency for border and remote area management.
This latest round of changes follows an October 1 reshuffle that saw the installation of new foreign and industry ministers, alongside eight other senior agency and police appointments. These actions follow the September 14 dismissal of former finance minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who was replaced by his deputy, Suahasil Nazara. Since taking office on October 20, 2024, President Prabowo has conducted eight such government shake-ups.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
