President Prabowo Subianto officially carried out his second cabinet reshuffle, swearing in four new ministers and one deputy minister at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday, September 8, 2025. The ceremony, attended by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and other state officials, began with the national anthem before moving to the reading of the presidential decree on ministerial appointments.
“Based on careful consideration, continuous evaluation, and various inputs, the President decided to make changes to the composition of the Cabinet Merah Putih in several ministerial posts,” State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi explained during a press briefing, as reported by Kompas.
New Ministers in Key Positions
The reshuffle replaced several prominent figures, including Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Abdul Kadir Karding, and Budi Arie Setiadi. The newly appointed ministers are:
- Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa – Minister of Finance (replacing Sri Mulyani)
- Mukhtarudin – Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (replacing Abdul Kadir Karding)
- Ferry Juliantono – Minister of Cooperatives (replacing Budi Arie Setiadi)
- Mochamad Irfan Yusuf – Minister of Hajj and Umrah
- Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak – Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah
After taking their oaths, the ministers signed the official inauguration documents in front of President Prabowo.
Despite the reshuffle, two positions remain vacant: the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam), previously held by Budi Gunawan, and the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), following the removal of Dito Ariotedjo. No replacements have been announced for these posts.
Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Successor to Sri Mulyani
Among the appointments, the most notable was Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who replaced Sri Mulyani as Minister of Finance. Born in Bogor on July 7, 1964, Purbaya pursued a degree in electrical engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) before continuing his studies in the United States, earning both a master’s and Ph.D. in economics from Purdue University.
He began his career as a field engineer at Schlumberger Overseas SA between 1989 and 1994, but soon transitioned into economics and public policy. He served as Senior Economist at Danareksa Research Institute and later rose to become Chief Economist at Danareksa Securities, where he was widely recognized for his sharp analysis of Indonesia’s economy.
Purbaya’s achievements include serving on the National Economic Committee (KEN) from 2010 to 2014, where he provided strategic advice to the government during periods of global financial uncertainty. He also held senior government roles, including Deputy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Energy, and later, Chairman of the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), where he played a central role in safeguarding Indonesia’s financial system.
According to Detik, Purbaya’s long track record “positions him as a guardian of Indonesia’s financial stability,” highlighting both his technical expertise and policy-making experience. His appointment signals Prabowo’s intent to maintain stability while pursuing fiscal reforms.
The second reshuffle under President Prabowo reflects his effort to consolidate government performance and align ministerial leadership with national priorities. By appointing technocrats like Purbaya alongside experienced politicians, Prabowo aims to balance expertise with political support, strengthening his Cabinet Merah Putih for the years ahead.
Source: Detik, Kompas
Photo Credit: setkab.go.id
