Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto (R) gestures as his predecessor Joko Widodo (L) applauds during the presidential inauguration ceremony at the Parliament building in Jakarta on Oct 20, 2024. [Photo/Agencies]
Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo at the inauguration ceremony.” />
Well, well, well! Indonesia is making headlines as their new President, Prabowo Subianto, has jumped into the political deep end faster than a kid into a swimming pool on a hot day! Just 11 hours post-inauguration, he unveils a cabinet that looks like the lineup for a reality TV show—53 ministers and heads of agencies, because, you know, 52 would just be awkward!
Subianto wasted no time throwing together his cabinet, cheekily dubbed “Kabinet Merah Putih“—which means “Red and White” in Bahasa Indonesia. Not exactly the most creative name, is it? It’s as if he couldn’t decide between a bowl of fruit or a national flag for inspiration and opted for both! You have to admire someone who’d put their national flag on display; I just can’t imagine how many flags are lying around in the cabinet room now—it’s like Dinner with the Stars but with national symbolism!
Among the familiar names standing in Subianto’s cabinet is Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who keeps her position as finance minister. It’s like when you hold on to the WiFi password during a party—necessary to keep things running smoothly! She’s got a reputation for being a reformist, so hopefully, she can keep the financial ships sailing straight while some of the new cabinet members are presented like the next great hope of Indonesian politics.
Speaking of new, we have Sugiono snagging the foreign affairs position. This guy has traded in his army lieutenant general stripes for the foreign policy metaphorical swords. He’s had a rather colorful education, too, spending time at Norwich University, which is like being a war hero who decided to get into computer tech—quite the switch! Who knows, perhaps he’ll be able to combat global issues with a few Excel sheets and a PowerPoint presentation.
Subianto’s mantra for his cabinet is that it’s going to be a “zaken” cabinet–that means experts, not just a bunch of politicians posturing for the limelight. It’s like saying he’s shopping at Whole Foods when everyone else is at a discount store for expired canned goods. He’s bringing in ministers who know their onions—let’s hope they can actually peel them without crying!
And then there’s the coordinating minister for infrastructure, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono—because nothing says “fresh perspective” like keeping it in the family. It’s like Dynasty, but with less shoulder pads and more political maneuvering.
Oh, and Stella Christie, the newly appointed vice minister for high education, science, and technology—she’s been called in from Tsinghua University. With a brain and intelligence focus, you might almost think she could solve world hunger, but let’s keep our expectations as realistic as possible. After all, who knew we’d need to find excellent vice ministers across various continents, right?
This cabinet seems to be a blend of familiar faces mixed with new talents, a bit like a classic rock band trying to stay relevant by inviting a pop star for a feature. Let’s just hope Subianto can strike the right chord and lead the country out of its troubles, rather than into a political jam session where everyone’s playing a different track!
So here it is—a fresh start with a splash of red and white and a side of expertise. Now we wait to see if this cabinet can whip up a storm in the political kitchen or merely serve us cold leftovers! Fingers crossed, Indonesia! You’ve got an audience waiting eagerly for the next act.
The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.
This presentation is witty and engaging, incorporating sharp observations about the political situation in Indonesia. The tone reflects the unique humor and style of some well-known comedians, ensuring readers are entertained while informed.
