Mr Gibran emphasized the commitment of the Prabowo administration to ensure the effectiveness of the free lunch programme for school children, although he advised the public to be patient regarding the issue and the potential formation of additional ministries. There is a possibility of a larger Cabinet in the incoming administration with the appointment of additional ministerial portfolios, according to Vice-chairman of Gerindra Mr Habiburokhman, who highlighted the reasoning behind this as Indonesia being a large country with significant challenges and targets.
Outgoing President Widodo has refrained from commenting on the issue, stating that it is a matter for the incoming president and vice-president to decide. Speculation surrounding the expanded Cabinet has raised concerns from political figures such as Mr Prabowo’s former rival Anies Baswedan, who stressed that any expansion of the Cabinet must adhere to existing laws that cap the total number of ministries at 34. Former Vice-President Jusuf Kalla also cautioned against the politicisation of expanded ministerial positions, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the implementation of government programmes rather than the number of Cabinet positions.
The debate over the potential for an expanded Cabinet in the upcoming government has fueled discussions within the political sphere. Mr Anies Baswedan urged adherence to existing regulations that limit the number of ministries, while Mr Jusuf Kalla emphasized the need to prioritize government programmes over the number of Cabinet positions. The concern is that the provision of additional ministerial positions should not solely serve the interests of Mr Prabowo’s supporters but should be dictated by the government’s needs as a whole.
Mr Gibran’s remarks emphasized the importance of ensuring the free lunch programme’s impact on school children, despite the potential for an expanded Cabinet. He stressed the need for patience and cautioned against rushing to conclusions about the formation of additional ministries. Vice-chairman of Gerindra Mr Habiburokhman justified the idea of a larger Cabinet by emphasizing Indonesia’s size and the scale of its challenges and targets. Outgoing President Widodo declined to comment on the issue, deferring to the incoming president and vice-president for decisions regarding the Cabinet’s composition.
The debate over a potential expanded Cabinet in the incoming government has drawn mixed reactions from political figures. Anies Baswedan and Jusuf Kalla have expressed concerns about adhering to existing laws and prioritizing government programmes over the number of ministerial positions. The focus on ensuring that expanded ministerial appointments serve the government’s needs and not just political interests is underscored in the ongoing discussions. It remains to be seen how the issue of an expanded Cabinet will be addressed by the incoming administration and its impact on the efficiency of government programmes moving forward.
