Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurates Bahlil Lahadalia as Coordinating Minister for Downstream Industries and Energy Transition at the State Palace in Jakarta, on October 1, 2026. (Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)
On October 1, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto executed a sweeping reshuffle of the Red and White Cabinet, marking it the seventh shake-up since he took office in 2024. Eighteen officials were inaugurated in this reorganisation, which introduced a new coordinating ministry, bringing the total cabinet composition to 49 ministers and 57 deputy ministers.
Notable changes from the overhaul include Prabowo’s own Gerindra Party politician and former Foreign Minister Sugiono assuming the role of Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture. Concurrently, career diplomat and former Deputy Minister Arrmanatha Nasir was elevated to lead the Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia now holds dual roles after being appointed to lead the newly formed Coordinating Ministry for Downstream and Energy Transition. According to President Prabowo, the institution is tasked with accelerating domestic downstream processing, enhancing the added value of natural resources and ultimately fast-tracking the nation’s energy transition.
Nonetheless, public concerns have emerged regarding the risk of overlapping authorities, given that the new body will oversee technical agencies like the Ministry of Investment and Downstream, potentially clashing with the existing Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs that traditionally manages comprehensive macro-industrial matters. The reshuffle also saw Secretary-General of the Golkar Party Muhammad Sarmuji take over as Minister of Industry.
Furthermore, the President’s trusted Chief of the Presidential Staff, Dudung Abdurachman, replaced Djamari Chaniago as Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security. Upon taking office, Dudung stated his immediate priority is to aggressively boost national stability, internal unity and institutional synchronisation. His former position has been assumed by former National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
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