Amid "Reshuffle" Issues, President Prabowo Inaugurates Several Officials This Afternoon

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Amidst the news of the reshuffle of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to inaugurate several state officials at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday (19/2/2025) afternoon.

The circulating information indicates that those who will be inaugurated include, among others, the Head of the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency, the Head of the National Cyber and Encryption Agency, the Head of the Central Statistics Agency, and the Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency or Basarnas.

The Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, when confirmed by reporters on Wednesday afternoon, stated in writing that there would be the inauguration of several officials on Wednesday evening.

In Kompas' investigation, the inauguration was planned to take place at 14:00 WIB. However, later, the schedule was changed to 15:30 WIB.

The inauguration room at the State Palace has also been prepared. Flowers have been arranged as well. Meanwhile, a canopy tent has been set up in the courtyard of the State Palace adjacent to Veteran Street. Coincidentally, in addition to the inauguration this Wednesday afternoon, there will be the simultaneous inauguration of 481 regional heads on Thursday morning (20/2/2025).

But what is clear is that the matter of reshuffle is the President's prerogative.

The plan is for Muhammad Yusuf Ateh to be inaugurated as the Head of the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP). Ateh will continue his position as the Head of BPKP.

In addition, Ateh will now be accompanied by a Deputy Head of BPKP. This position will be held by Agustina Arumsari, who previously served as Deputy Head of BPKP for Investigation.

The Head of the National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) is reportedly going to be held by Lieutenant General Nugroho Sulistyo Budi. Nugroho previously served as the Principal Inspector of the National Intelligence Agency. Meanwhile, Pratama Persadha, a cybersecurity analyst, will become the Deputy Head of BSSN.

In addition, the officials who will be inaugurated include the Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

There is also news circulating about the President's plan to replace the Minister of Higher Education.

Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives from the National Awakening Party Faction, Lalu Hadrian, was surprised by the news that the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro would be replaced. He admitted that he had not heard the news but a reshuffle is the prerogative of the President. Of course, the steps taken by the President to reshuffle one of his assistants, we leave it to him, he understands better," he said.

However, Commission X of the DPR hopes that if Satryo is indeed replaced, the new minister must be able to translate President Prabowo's vision and mission, especially in the fields of higher education, science and technology.

Before the news of the reshuffle circulated, for the past few months, Commission X of the DPR has always coordinated and worked together with Satryo and his ministry. "In principle, it's good, he has held several work meetings with us to convey higher education programs, one of which is overseeing Garuda's leading schools, then yesterday our last work meeting was also due to budget efficiency, he also insisted actually, so that the budget for higher education, be it scholarships, BUPTN, and so on, is not disturbed by budget efficiency," he explained.

When asked whether the internal problems of the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology were the trigger for Satryo's replacement, Lalu did not want to interfere. However, it is possible that the internal problems were Prabowo's assessment. "But what is clear is that the reshuffle is the President's prerogative," he added.

If it is true that internal problems are the driving force for the reshuffle, then ask that the replacement figure include ensuring that there are no more internal problems. "There are no internal problems, able to accommodate all the problems in the Ministry of Education and Technology, and able to build a strategic partnership with Commission X," he added.

The internal problem referred to a demonstration by a number of ministry employees on January 20, 2025. They protested the sudden dismissal of one of the employees. However, the action later ended peacefully between Satryo and the group of employees. If Satryo is indeed replaced, then he will be the first Red and White Cabinet minister to be affected by the reshuffle policy.

Several weeks ago, the issue of a cabinet reshuffle first emerged from President Prabowo Subianto's speech at the commemoration of the 102nd Anniversary of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/1/2025).

In his speech, President Prabowo said that during the first 100 days of his administration, he had repeatedly warned several parties. Anyone who is stubborn and does not comply with the demands of the people who demand a clean government will be prosecuted. In this regard, the President has also repeatedly conveyed that all institutional officials clean themselves before being cleaned by the President.

The President has also reminded that loyalty is only to the nation and the people. "If you are not loyal to the Indonesian people, if you obstruct policies for the Indonesian people, I will take action, you all," the President said at that time.

When asked further about the code for the cabinet reshuffle, Prabowo neither confirmed nor denied it. According to him, his sentence for cleaning up the cabinet was very clear.

"We want the people to demand a clean and proper government, which works properly. So I want to uphold that. The interests are only for the nation and the people, there are no other interests. Those who do not want to work truly for the people, yes, I will get rid of them," Prabowo said according to the event.