Civil Society Forms Shadow Cabinet to Counter Prabowo's Government
A group of civil society members, comprising academics and activists, has formed a shadow cabinet. Several individuals have been selected to fill 15 ministerial posts in this alternative cabinet to the administration of Prabowo Subianto.
The Head of the Shadow Cabinet Selection Committee, Feri Amsari, explained that this cabinet is not intended to seize power from the current Prabowo Subianto-led government. He stated that the formation of the shadow cabinet is a response from civil society to the loss of checks and balances on the executive branch.
He noted that there is no formal opposition capable of balancing the Cabinet Merah Putih, which is largely filled by political forces from coalition parties. Yet, he argued, Indonesia does not lack competent individuals who are ready and capable of running the government.
“Unfortunately, all of that cannot be realised because it is held hostage by political interests,” Feri said in an official statement quoted on Saturday, 18 July 2026.
Feri confirmed that the formation of this cabinet is free from the support of any political party or politician. He stated that all work is voluntary and pro bono, serving the public interest.
“Operational funding currently comes from internal contributions or pooling, without foreign or corporate funds,” he said. Going forward, the Shadow Cabinet will open public fundraising through a crowdfunding platform.
The Shadow Cabinet’s working method emphasises man-to-man marking. Feri explained that each minister in the cabinet serves as a direct counterpart to the ministers in the Cabinet Merah Putih on the same issues or fields.
“Every policy produced by the government will have a counter-idea from the corresponding shadow minister, not just aimless general commentary,” said the constitutional law expert from Andalas University.
Regarding the selection of this zaken cabinet, Feri explained that the recruitment process was conducted openly and rigorously, and verified by an independent panel. The selection panel team consisted of Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Bivitri Susanti, and Zainal Arifin Mochtar.
The selection committee set six criteria to filter the hundreds of names submitted. The six criteria include integrity, competence and a public track record, being under 50 years of age, being critical and courageous, having a pro-people stance, and not being affiliated with any political party.
“We also maintain gender balance. Of the 15 selected shadow ministers, 40 per cent are women,” Feri said.
The following is the list of Shadow Cabinet ministers:
Minister of State Secretary: Feri Amsari
Minister of Home Affairs and State Security: Armand Suparman
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Shofwan Al-Banna Choiruzzad
Minister of Defence: Curie Maharani
Minister of Women’s Rights and Marginalised Groups: Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati
Minister of Law and State Policy: Yance Arizona
Minister of Economy: Media Wahyudi Askar
Minister of Finance and Budget Governance: Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara
Minister of Environmental Protection and Climate Change: Iqbal Damanik
Minister of Education and Culture: Iman Zanatul Haeri
Minister of Research, Technology, and Digital: Nenden Sekar Arum
Minister of Health: Irma Hidayana
Minister of Social Affairs and Basic Services: Nabiyla Risfa Izzati
Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty: Isnawati Hidayah
Cabinet Secretary: Ahmad Julil Qur’ani Farid