Dasco: Chatib's Summons to Palace Not About Reshuffle
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that he has received information from the Presidential Palace regarding the summons of National Economic Council (DEN) member Muhammad Chatib Basri by President Prabowo Subianto this afternoon.
He noted that the presence of Chatib Basri and DEN Chairman Luhut Binsan Panjaitan at the Presidential Palace was intended to provide input and strategies to boost economic growth. “I have received confirmation from the government that in today’s meeting, Mr Luhut attended in his capacity as Chairman of the DEN, and Mr Chatib Basri as a member,” Dasco said at the DPR, MPR, and DPD Complex on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
He acknowledged that in recent days, there has been discourse naming Chatib Basri as a potential candidate to replace Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as Finance Minister. However, he stated that the veracity of such claims cannot be verified at this time. Regarding whether a reshuffle was discussed, Dasco replied, “The confirmation I received says there was no discussion in that direction.”
He explained that the DEN’s presence at the Palace is a vital part of the government’s efforts to strengthen economic growth in the current situation. “Input and strategies are required so that the President can subsequently take the necessary steps,” said the Daily Chairman of the Gerindra Party.
According to observations at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Luhut and Chatib arrived at approximately 3:30 PM WIB. Regarding today’s agenda, Chatib confirmed he would meet directly with the Head of State but declined to disclose the specifics of their discussion, suggesting, “Ask Mr Luhut.”
According to Chatib, other DEN members, such as Septian Hario Setorkan, were also part of this agenda. When questioned about rumours of his entry into the cabinet under Prabowo’s administration, Chatib replied, “I do not know.”
Yesterday, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated there are no plans to reshuffle the ‘Red and White’ Cabinet. He denied rumours suggesting Muhammad Chatib Basri would replace Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. “There is no plan to change the Finance Minister. We have stated many times, there is no plan for a reshuffle,” he said at the DPR, MPR, and DPD Complex on Monday, 8 June 2026.
News of a change in the State Treasurer has recently become a topic of public discussion alongside the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate, with Chatib Basri being one of the names emerging in the discourse. Prasetyo requested that the public refrain from speculating or linking reshuffle rumours to specific figures. He noted that President Prabowo Subianto would certainly inform the public regarding any cabinet reshuffling. “It is not just for one ministry; if the President feels there is a need for refreshment or change at the appropriate time, it will be announced,” the Gerindra politician added.