Communications Lecturer: Appointment of Hasan and Qodari Inappropriate

A lecturer in Communication Science at Esa Unggul University, M. Jamiluddin Ritonga, has highlighted the cabinet reshuffle in the communications sector. In his view, the appointments of Presidential Special Advisor for Communications Hasan Nasbi and Head of the Government Communication Agency Muhammad Qodari are inappropriate. Both are likely to implement communications in a political context rather than in the realm of public communications. “Yet, public communications under the Prabowo administration have frequently drawn public scrutiny,” he stated in a written release on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. He assesses that the cabinet reshuffle does not align with public expectations. The reshuffle in the communications sector appears to be filled merely with old figures lacking competence in public communications. Muhammad Qodari and Hasan Nasbi do not even possess educational backgrounds in communications. Hasan Nasbi did previously serve as Head of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). However, Prabowo reshuffled him out last year. “Such a cabinet reshuffle does not align with the objectives of the reshuffle. One of which is to refresh the cabinet in order to enhance its performance,” he said. According to him, a cabinet reshuffle should replace underperforming ministers or officials with new figures expected to be more competent. He doubts that the two will be able to improve government communications. Nevertheless, he calls on them to strengthen the government’s public communications. “In that way, the cabinet reshuffle in the communications sector will truly enhance performance, particularly in public communications,” he stated. Hasan and Qodari have yet to respond to Tempo’s messages regarding this. Previously, Hasan Nasbi stated that he wishes to clarify untrue news reports. “This will also include, perhaps, the government certainly will and must also correct matters, news reports, understandings, or information that is untrue about the government,” he said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta yesterday. President Prabowo Subianto has once again reshuffled the Merah Putih Cabinet on Monday, 27 April 2026. This reshuffle marks the fifth since the Gerindra Party Chairman was inaugurated as head of state in October 2024.