Prabowo: Current Eight-Party Coalition is Exceptionally Efficient

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the composition of his government’s coalition is currently very efficient.

“We now have eight parties. It is already incredibly efficient. Many other countries may have dozens of parties,” said Prabowo during his closing remarks at the 35th NU Congress in Tambakberas, Jombang, on Monday (31/8).

Prabowo noted that as a great nation that has chosen a democratic system, forming a coalition is an inevitability. He remarked that Indonesia’s territory is vast, comparable to the European Union, which comprises 27 countries.

He argued that under such conditions, it is impossible for the Indonesian government to be run by a single party. “Coalition is necessary to lead, govern, and manage a nation that will soon consist of 300 million people. As the fourth largest country in the world, it is impossible for a nation of this magnitude to be led by only one party,” he said.

Prabowo also emphasised that the government requires stability to ensure its programmes can run optimally. He compared Indonesia’s situation to other countries with political constellations that tend toward instability, citing Japan and the United Kingdom, which have seen frequent changes in prime ministerial leadership over the last five to six years.

At the same time, he addressed criticisms regarding his administration being a “bloated cabinet.” He compared the size of his cabinet to that of Timor-Leste, which has up to 28 cabinet members despite its much smaller territory.

“Ultimately, the government requires stability and tranquillity. Therefore, the coalition government I lead—comprising seven out of the eight parties in parliament—and the cabinet I have formed, which some have called bloated or inefficient, must be viewed in context. Consider Timor-Leste, which has a population of only 1 million—smaller than many Indonesian provinces or even regencies,” he added.