Prabowo Subianto Conducts Second Phase of Cabinet Reshuffle
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, President Prabowo Subianto oversaw a second round of cabinet changes, appointing new officials and reassigning existing ministers to address vacancies within the government. This reshuffle follows an initial, incomplete adjustment on September 8, 2025, where several positions remained unfilled due to a lack of immediate replacements.
Two key ministerial posts were filled during this latest action. Retired Army General Djamari Chaniago was appointed coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security affairs, succeeding Budi Gunawan. Simultaneously,Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir was named the new Youth and Sports Minister,replacing Dito Ariotedjo. Both positions had been vacant since September 8, 2025.
Beyond the ministerial level, Prabowo also appointed several new deputy ministers. Afriansyah Noor, a politician from the Democratic Party and former deputy manpower minister, was reappointed to the same role, replacing Immanuel Ebenezer who was recently arrested in a graft case.Rohmat Marzuki, a Gerindra politician, was installed as deputy forestry minister, and Farida Faricha, a cadre from the National Awakening Party (PKB), was sworn in as deputy minister for cooperatives.
The changes extended beyond traditional ministerial roles. Angga raka prabowo was promoted from deputy communications and digital minister to lead the newly established Government Communications Agency, effectively replacing the Presidential Communications Office. M. Qodari, formerly deputy chief of Presidential staff, was appointed Chief of Presidential Staff, succeeding AM Putranto. Former deputy police chief General Ahmad Dofiri was appointed as a special presidential advisor focusing on security, public order, and police reform.
Further appointments were made within the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), with Nanik S.Deyang and Sony Sanjaya named deputy heads, and Sarah Sadiga, previously with the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP), appointed as its new chairwoman.
The appointment of Erick Thohir to the Youth and Sports Ministry leaves the position of Minister of State-owned Enterprises currently vacant, with the Palace yet to announce a replacement. “I was asked by the Cabinet Secretary to report to the President,” Erick Thohir stated following the inauguration ceremony.
Djamari Chaniago, aged 76, brings a substantial military background to his new role.A 1971 graduate of the Armed Forces Academy (AKABRI), he previously served as commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) and west Java military chief, retiring in 2004 as Indonesian military (TNI) Chief of General Staff. He was also one of seven generals on the Honorary Officers Council (DKP) that reviewed Prabowo’s role during the 1998 turmoil,tho the two have maintained a close relationship in recent years,with Chaniago currently serving on the State Council of Titles,Medals and Honors.
This reshuffle is seen as a move by Prabowo to strengthen his coalition – comprised of Gerindra, Democrat, and PKB – and to reinforce political control following a period of cabinet vacancies and increased political speculation.
The inauguration ceremony at the state Palace was attended by prominent political figures including peopel’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani, and members of the Red-and-white Cabinet.
