October 4: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has made sweeping changes to his government this week. On Thursday, October 1, he reshuffled the cabinet and named career diplomat Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir as foreign minister, the Malaysian news agency Bernama reported. He also replaced the national police chief. A day later, he swore in 26 members of the Presidential Advisory Council, a body that had been empty for almost two years. The reports reviewed for this article do not give Prabowo’s reasons for the changes.
Key highlights
- Foreign minister: Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, until now the deputy foreign minister, replaces Sugiono.
- Sugiono’s new post: Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.
- Security: Dudung Abdurachman, a former army chief, becomes Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs.
- Police: Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto is the new national police chief. His predecessor, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, becomes Presidential Chief of Staff.
- Advisory council: 26 members were sworn in on October 2, with former minister Pratikno as chairman, Antara reported.
Who moved where
According to Bernama, the changes announced on October 1 were:
- Foreign Minister: Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, previously deputy foreign minister.
- Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs: Dudung Abdurachman, previously Presidential Chief of Staff and a former army chief. He replaces Djamari Chaniago.
- Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture: Sugiono, the outgoing foreign minister.
- Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition: Bahlil Lahadalia, who keeps the energy and mineral resources portfolio.
- Industry Minister: Mohamad Sarmuji, secretary-general of the Golkar Party. He replaces Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.
- National Police Chief: Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, 53, who had headed the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) since August 2025.
- Presidential Chief of Staff: General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the outgoing police chief.
Five deputy ministers were also appointed, including a deputy coordinating minister for economic affairs and deputy finance ministers, Bernama reported. This is the second reshuffle in three weeks. On September 14, Suahasil Nazara was made finance minister in a smaller change.
Why the foreign ministry change matters
Sugiono is a politician from Prabowo’s Gerindra party. His successor comes from inside the foreign service. Arrmanatha Nasir has served as Indonesia’s ambassador to France and as its permanent representative to the United Nations, and was the ministry’s spokesperson before that. Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest country and economy, so the person who runs its diplomacy matters to the whole region.
The advisory council returns
On Friday, October 2, Prabowo swore in 26 members of the Presidential Advisory Council, known in Indonesia as Wantimpres, at the State Palace in Jakarta, the Indonesian news agency Antara reported. Pratikno, a former coordinating minister for human development and culture, is the chairman. Hatta Rajasa, a former coordinating minister for economic affairs, is his deputy, and Muhammad Qodari is the secretary.
The council had been vacant since the previous administration left office on October 20, 2024, Investortrust reported. It is based on Article 16 of the 1945 Constitution and gives the president advice that is not binding. With 26 members it is far larger than the usual nine seats, the outlet noted.
The membership is broad. Antara and Investortrust listed, among others:
- Business: Chairul Tanjung, founder of CT Corp, and toll-road businessman Jusuf Hamka.
- Religious figures: Quranic scholar Quraish Shihab and Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf.
- Former officials: Former Constitutional Court chief justice Anwar Usman, retired general Agum Gumelar and former minister Ignasius Jonan.
- Critics and thinkers: Political commentator Rocky Gerung and CSIS co-founder Jusuf Wanandi.
Gerung, a well-known critic of the establishment, described the council’s standing as “ethical, not technical”, according to Investortrust. “Our role is the ability to examine the excesses of policy and offer considerations regarding policy direction,” he said. The outlet said observers see the enlarged council as a “political shock absorber” that brings competing interests into one room.
What is not yet known
- The reasons: Bernama’s report gives no explanation from the president for moving Sugiono or replacing the police chief.
- Policy direction: It is too early to say whether the new foreign minister will change Indonesia’s positions. He has not yet set out his priorities in the reports we reviewed.
- The council’s weight: Its advice is not binding, so its influence will depend on how the president uses it.
More from Indonesia
Read our recent coverage: the ferry disaster that killed at least 64 people and Indonesia’s deployment of 64 aircraft against forest fires.
Sources
- Bernama: Prabowo reshuffles cabinet, names new foreign, political-security minister
- Antara: Prabowo swears in 26 Presidential Advisory Council members
- Investortrust: Prabowo revives dormant advisory council with 26-member coalition of tycoons, clerics, and critics
- Bernama: Top news headlines in Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, October 3, 2026
The International Desk covers world and Asian affairs, diplomacy and conflict, with a focus on what they mean for India. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
