Cabinet Reshuffle Targeting Party Leaders Predicted to Be Somewhat Difficult
JAKARTA - A political analyst from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Adi Prayitno, believes that a cabinet reshuffle targeting ministers from the ranks of political party chairmen (ketum parpol) is likely to be difficult to carry out.
According to Adi, this is closely related to the strategic position of party chairmen as the main pillars of stability and political support in President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
“Every reshuffle considers the potential for upheaval and political stability. One of them? It seems a reshuffle of those party chairmen would be quite complicated. Because party chairmen who become ministers are the pendulums that ensure political support remains in place,” said Adi on the Gaspol Kompas.com YouTube programme on Friday (1/5/2026).
Among others, Bahlil Lahadalia, Chairman of Golkar Party, serves as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM),
Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Chairman of the Democrat Party, serves as Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development,
Zulkifli Hasan or Zulhas, Chairman of PAN, serves as Coordinating Minister for Food, and Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin, Chairman of PKB, serves as Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (PM).
In addition, the principle of maintaining the balance of party seat allocations in the cabinet is also an important consideration.
Adi stated that reducing a party’s allocation risks disrupting the rhythm of political relations within the coalition.
“The second principle is not to reduce the party’s share. If there are 5 or 6 parties, don’t reduce them. If it has to be reduced, perhaps give it elsewhere,” he explained.
This is because the President is seen to have many options for political support from other parties outside the coalition.
He cited potential support from PDI Perjuangan (PDI-P), NasDem Party, to the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).
“It seems that looking at Mr Prabowo today, even if the parties in power have their number of parties or ministers reduced, they won’t protest. Why? Because Mr Prabowo has so many reserve parties ready to cooperate,” said Adi.
“There is PDI-P there, there is NasDem there, there is PKS there. So if you sulk, that’s fine. There are other parties that can join,” he continued.
Furthermore, he assessed that a cabinet reshuffle is still likely to occur in the near future, but it will be done on a limited basis to avoid political upheaval.
“The last point, for me, this reshuffle will indeed be done in instalments, sir. Yes, to anticipate those upheavals. Perhaps in the next few months, there will be some reshuffles,” he said.
“But not many. One or two. Not long from now, one or two,” he added.