Prabowo’s cabinet of connections? Loyalty trumps qualifications for Indonesia’s new leader

At a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on July 18, Widodo swore in Prabowo’s nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, as second deputy finance minister and named Sudaryono, a senior member of Prabowo’s Gerindra party, as deputy agriculture minister.

Thomas – a close Prabowo adviser on fiscal issues and the Gerinda party’s treasurer – said his appointment indicated “continuity” between the outgoing and incoming government.

But analysts say the timing of the appointments speaks volumes about the relationship between Prabowo and Widodo, as well as the direction the president-elect might take in filling government positions.

Making the right cabinet appointments will be pivotal for Prabowo to secure a second term, Adhi said, as it will allow him to effectively implement his agenda and maintain voter support.

He noted that the appointments could also be a way to reassure investors and markets about a smooth transition of power, particularly as questions have been raised about Prabowo and Widodo’s diverging ambitions for the outgoing president’s legacy Nusantara project.

While the public relations between the two appear cordial, local news outlets have reported on speculations over the true nature of their relationship, suggesting potential signs of tension.

Ian Wilson, a senior fellow at Murdoch University’s Indo-Pacific Research Centre in Perth, said it was unusual for a current president to be making “transitional appointments in the last few months of his presidency”.

“I would have to speculate that Jokowi could be trying to generate more goodwill in order to protect himself and protect his broader family interests for when he is no longer president,” said Wilson, referring to Widodo by his popular nickname.

According to Wilson, the new