Gerindra Explains Why President Prabowo Is Reshuffling His Cabinet Within Two Weeks

Jakarta (VIVA) – Gerindra Party (Great Indonesia Movement) spokesman Bahtra Banong has explained why President Prabowo Subianto carried out a cabinet reshuffle within the past two weeks.

Bahtra said a cabinet reshuffle was within the president’s authority and prerogative, and was intended to support the government’s performance, particularly in light of a series of disasters in various parts of Indonesia.

He also said President Prabowo’s reshuffle was appropriate because the president needed responsive figures to handle disasters and deliver government programmes.

“It is to speed up the government’s work. As we know, there is a need for very swift action and responsiveness,” Bahtra said, as quoted on Friday (16 October 2026).

“For example, if we talk about the disasters affecting us today, there are forest and land fires, not to mention the disasters that often occur, such as floods,” he continued.

Bahtra cited M Maulana Bungaran, a Gerindra Party member appointed deputy minister for immigration and correctional affairs in the cabinet reshuffle at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (15 October 2026), as an example of the kind of figure needed.

He said Maulana Bungaran’s appointment was appropriate given his legal background and the major issues facing the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs. These include alleged extortion in the processing of foreign nationals’ residence permits, in which former Deputy Minister Silmy Karim has been implicated, as well as findings by the Indonesian Ombudsman concerning luxury facilities at Cibinong Class IIA Correctional Institution.

“Recently, we have seen that the ministry needs enforcement or action in our prisons. Mr Maulana’s background is in law, and that is needed as part of efforts to improve things—not only in immigration, but also in prisons,” Bahtra said.

“Following the Ombudsman’s inspection yesterday, it is clear there is a great deal of work to be done to make improvements there,” he added.

Bahtra also referred to Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) generals Maruli Simanjuntak and Tandyo Budi Revita, who swapped positions after being sworn in by Prabowo on Thursday.