JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — President Prabowo Subianto has sworn in Indonesia's largest Cabinet since 1966, with 109 members reflecting his vision for a robust government. The newly inaugurated president announced his Cabinet lineup, consisting of ministers, vice ministers, and heads of national agencies, which he named the 'Red and White Cabinet' in reference to Indonesia's flag colors.
Subianto, who assumed office as the eighth president of Southeast Asia's largest economy, emphasized the need for a strong administration. His Cabinet, comprising 109 members, is notably larger than his predecessor Joko Widodo's Cabinet, which had 34 members. The last time Indonesia saw a Cabinet of this scale was in 1966 during President Sukarno's tenure.
Subianto's Cabinet includes politicians from a coalition of seven parties that supported his election victory in February. Additionally, individuals from Widodo's previous Cabinet were reappointed, signaling a political gesture towards Widodo for his indirect support during the election.
The president's new vice president is Gibran Rakabuming Raka, a 37-year-old former mayor of Surakarta and Widodo's son. Despite being former political rivals, Widodo and Subianto have formed an alliance, with Widodo endorsing Subianto as his defense chief after the election.
Subianto's administration aims to achieve an annual economic growth rate of 8% by the end of his term. This ambitious goal is supported by plans for increased defense spending, salary hikes for civil servants, and a program to provide free meals to 83 million children.
Key figures from Widodo's Cabinet, such as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, have been retained in Subianto's administration. Indrawati, a respected figure in international financial circles, has held the finance minister position under three different presidents and is known for her reforms in Indonesia's taxation system and her adept handling of economic crises.
