Prabowo's Cabinet Speculation: Zaken Cabinet and Taruna Nusantara Alumni

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Various discussions surrounding the upcoming cabinet of President-elect Prabowo Subianto have begun to circulate. Recent news includes planned meetings with Megawati Soekarnoputri, General Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).

1. Planned Meeting with Megawati

PDIP Central Leadership Council (DPP) Chair Puan Maharani and Gerindra Secretary General Ahmad Muzani have confirmed that a meeting between Megawati and Prabowo will take place. “Yes, there will be a meeting,” Puan said at the Parliament Building on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, as reported by Antara.

While the exact meeting date remains unspecified, Puan emphasized the importance of building relationships.

Previously, on Monday, September 9, 2024, Ahmad Muzani revealed that the meeting would take place before Prabowo's inauguration as President-elect on October 20, 2024.

2. Meeting with Sri Mulyani

Prabowo met with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Deputy Minister of Finance II Thomas Djiwandono, on Monday, September 9, 2024, to discuss the State Budget development report.

The discussion focused on the implementation and outlook of the 2024 State Budget, which will conclude in December under the leadership of the president-elect.

“The president-elect is carefully reviewing the report with the Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance II TD,” said Director General of Budget at the Finance Ministry, Isa Rachmatarwata, in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, as reported by Antara.

3. Zaken Cabinet

Ahmad Muzani said that Prabowo is currently reviewing potential cabinet members and will announce them after his inauguration as president in October. “Pak Prabowo envisions a zaken cabinet,” he said at the Parliament Building on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

The zaken cabinet means it will focus on technocracy and will consist of experts in their respective fields, including individuals from or proposed by political parties.

PAN Deputy Chairperson Viva Yoga Mauladi confirmed this statement, adding that the experts could also come from political parties. “The proposed individuals must possess the necessary ability and experience in their respective fields,” Viva said.

4. AHY

The General Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono or AHY, highlighted his frequent communication with Prabowo. However, he clarified that the discussions have not centered on the distribution of ministerial seats for the Democrats.

“We have engaged in dialogues on various matters. But, I am pleased that our discussions have not focused on specific positions or posts for the Democratic Party,” AHY said on Monday, September 9, 2024.

He emphasized that the Democrats respect Prabowo's prerogative as president-elect to determine the ministers in his cabinet. “I am ready to be assigned any role. I do not want to speculate," he said.

5. Taruna Nusantara Alumni

Deputy Chair of the Gerindra Advisory Board Hashim Djojohadikusumo revealed that some of the ministers in Prabowo's upcoming government are graduates of Taruna Nusantara High School.

Hashim disclosed this information during the National Dialogue on Improving Human Resources to Achieve Golden Indonesia 2045. Prabowo's younger brother mentioned that the president-elect would provide opportunities for Taruna Nusantara alumni to join the executive branch.

“I can confirm that several alumni of Taruna Nusantara High School have been appointed as ministers in Prabowo's current Cabinet. I believe there are two, three, or perhaps four,” Hashim stated in a YouTube broadcast on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

NI MADE SUKMASARI | HENDRIK YAPUTRA | ANDI ADAM FATURAHMAN | ANTARA

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