Health Minister Budi Gunadi Denies Rumours of Finance Minister Appointment

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has spoken out regarding rumours suggesting he is in line to fill the post of Finance Minister in the Merah Putih Cabinet, replacing Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. Budi firmly denied the reports, dismissing the circulating rumours as mere speculation. “That is what you said,” Budi told reporters briefly at the Presidential Palace. When asked further about his readiness should the President appoint him to a different position, Budi stressed that his primary focus is completing his responsibilities at the ministry he currently leads. “I am still the Health Minister,” he asserted. Budi’s presence at the Palace caused a stir as he arrived shortly after Chatib Basri. Both Chatib Basri and Budi Gunadi Sadikin have been widely reported as potential replacements for Purbaya. The rumour regarding Budi Gunadi Sadikin’s potential shift emerged amid widespread talk of a cabinet reshuffle, particularly within the economic and finance sectors. However, the Presidential Palace has issued an official clarification to quell the speculation. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto currently has no plans to reshuffle the ministers in the Merah Putih Cabinet. “Once again, on several occasions we have conveyed that as of today there are no plans, if you mentioned a reshuffle, let alone a major one, of the Merah Putih Cabinet, there are none yet,” Prasetyo stated during a press briefing at the Presidential Palace Complex. Prasetyo Hadi stated that all cabinet members are currently focused on executing their respective duties and work programmes according to President Prabowo Subianto’s directives. The government has urged the public not to readily believe information about the cabinet composition that does not originate from official state channels. Currently, the stability of ministry performance is the main priority in supporting the government’s vision and mission.