Gibran Not Seated Next to Prabowo: Qodari Says It Was Purely a Technical Seating Arrangement

Head of the Government Communication Body (Bakom) RI, Muhammad Qodari, has provided clarification regarding public scrutiny of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s seating position, which was not next to President Prabowo Subianto during the Plenary Cabinet Session. Qodari stressed that the seating arrangement was purely a technical aspect of the event’s organisation and was in no way related to the constitutional position or authority of the Vice President. According to him, the layout used in the Plenary Cabinet Session was designed to support the effectiveness of the President’s delivery of directives to all session participants.

Qodari explained that this Plenary Cabinet Session used a format of a presidential briefing to all cabinet members, rather than a meeting format that places the President and Vice President side by side. Therefore, the seating arrangement was designed so that all participants could see the President directly, while also making it easier for the President to make eye contact when delivering directives. ‘The seating position at yesterday’s Plenary Cabinet Session followed the format of a presidential briefing to all members of the Cabinet Session, not a meeting format that places the President and Vice President side by side,’ Qodari stated on Tuesday (21/7/2026). He said the arrangement was part of the event’s design to ensure the President’s communication with all cabinet members could take place more effectively.

Qodari noted that in this briefing format, the Vice President attended as an invitee to the Plenary Cabinet Session along with the other cabinet members. The seating arrangement was made by considering the number of participants in the session so that the President’s delivery of directives could be more optimal. He emphasised that the room layout was not arranged to reflect a change in the position or working relationship between the President and Vice President. On the contrary, the arrangement was entirely based on technical needs during the Plenary Cabinet Session.

Qodari also dismissed any suggestions linking the Vice President’s seating position to a change in constitutional standing or authority. According to him, there has been no change whatsoever to the role or duties of the Vice President as stipulated in the constitution.