Prabowo’s sweeping cabinet shake-up signals mounting clash with Jokowi ahead of 2029 election

On October 1, President Prabowo Subianto unveiled his most extensive cabinet overhaul, affecting ten ministries and six state institutions, to consolidate authority before his third year. The reshuffle dismissed controversial finance minister Purbaya Sadewa, appointing his deputy Suahasil Nazara, and replaced foreign ministry protégé Sugiono with career diplomat Armanatha Nasir. A key move was the removal of National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, a known Jokowi ally, and his replacement by former narcotics chief Gen. Suyudi Aryo Seto, who has already begun a large-scale purge of police officials.

Other Jokowi loyalists, including Pratikno, were reassigned, while Golkar leader Bahlil Lahadalia was promoted to retain coalition backing. The timing coincides with heightened scrutiny of Jokowi’s son Gibran’s educational qualifications and Jokowi’s recent affiliation with the Indonesian Solidarity Party led by his youngest son Kaesang Pangarep, indicating an escalating rivalry ahead of the 2029 presidential election.