Prabowo Appoints Budi Gunawan to Presidential Advisory Council
President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated 26 members of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) at the State Palace in Jakarta on October 2, 2026, appointing former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno as Council Chairman and politician Hatta Rajasa as Vice Chairman.
Budi Gunawan Outlines Priority Program Oversight
Following the swearing-in ceremony at the State Palace, Budi Gunawan outlined his primary mandate from President Prabowo Subianto. He stated that the newly constituted council will focus heavily on monitoring and strengthening the administration’s priority programs to ensure they deliver direct benefits to the public. Budi Gunawan expressed gratitude following the smooth running of the official inauguration process.
According to Budi Gunawan, the council will soon conduct internal consolidations to map out its strategic steps moving forward. When questioned by reporters regarding any specific directives from PDI-P Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri concerning his new role, he clarified that no special messages were conveyed. He added that the council will work step-by-step to organize its duties for the betterment of the nation and state.
Pratikno and Hatta Rajasa Take Leadership Roles
The newly expanded council brings together 26 figures from diverse professional backgrounds, spanning religious organizations, politics, law, and academia. Pratikno assumed the role of Wantimpres Chairman just a day after concluding his tenure as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture. Hatta Rajasa was simultaneously appointed as Vice Chairman.
Regarding the advisory nature of the body, Pratikno emphasized that statutory regulations strictly prohibit council members from publicly disclosing specific policy advice given to the head of state. Hatta Rajasa noted that the institution operates as a formal state body directly beneath the President under the revised legislation governing the council, specifically transitioning from Undang-Undang Nomor 19 Tahun 2006 to UU Nomor 64 Tahun 2024.
Anwar Usman Addresses Constitutional Court Inquiries
The inclusion of former Constitutional Court Chairman Anwar Usman among the 26 appointed members drew immediate media attention regarding ongoing legal disputes. Anwar Usman declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings at the Constitutional Court regarding the vice-presidential candidacy requirements of Gibran Rakabuming Raka from the 2024 election.
“Jangan deh. Saya ini orangnya, ya sudah tahu sendiri lah. Enggak mau mengintervensi dan enggak mau diintervensi oleh siapa pun,” Anwar stated at the Jakarta Presidential Complex, stressing that any commentary from a former judge on active court disputes could be misconstrued as indirect institutional interference. He maintained that he has had minimal contact with Gibran recently and emphasized his non-political standing in the new advisory body.
Rocky Gerung Frames the Council Role as Critical Oversight
Among the academic and public intellectuals appointed to the council, Rocky Gerung defined the mandate of Wantimpres as maintaining an objective and critical stance toward government policymaking. Rocky Gerung emphasized that the council holds an ethical standing rather than a technical administrative one, allowing members to evaluate policy blind spots from a distance.
“Tugas dewan adalah mengingat dan menimbang dan memutuskan, penetapannya ada pada presiden. Jadi kita membuat pertimbangan, user-nya adalah Bapak Presiden,” Rocky explained following the ceremony, comparing the function of the advisory group to an oversight committee operating within the public sphere.
Diverse Figures Join the Expanded Advisory Body
Several prominent business figures and political actors arrived at the State Palace ahead of the formal proceedings, including former State Intelligence Agency (BIN) head Budi Gunawan, along with entrepreneurs Jusuf Hamka and Tahir.
The broader roster incorporates religious leaders such as former Nahdlatul Ulama chairmen Said Aqil Siroj and Yahya Cholil Staquf, political figures including Soekarwo and Bambang Soesatyo, and legal practitioners like Margarito Kamis. With 26 members now sworn in under Pratikno’s leadership, the administration has established a wide-ranging consultative apparatus designed to channel multidisciplinary perspectives directly into executive decision-making.