Prabowo Inaugurates Budi Gunawan as Presidential Advisory Council Member; PDIP: Good Luck with Your Work

The Chairman of the PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board, Ganjar Pranowo, has responded to the inauguration of former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres). Ganjar extended his well-wishes to Budi Gunawan.

“Good luck with your work,” Gangar told reporters on Friday (2/10/2026).

When asked for separate confirmation, PDI Perjuangan politician Guntur Romli stated that the appointment of Budi Gunawan to the Wantimpres is the prerogative of President Prabowo. He noted that Budi Gunawan is not a member of the PDI Perjuangan party.

“Mr Budi Gunawan was chosen as a member of the Wantimpres based on the President’s prerogative, and we respect that. However, Mr Budi Gunawan is not a member of PDI Perjuangan; he does not hold a party membership card,” said Guntur Romli.

He assessed that Budi Gunawan’s inauguration is due to his track record while leading the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, as well as his accomplished career in other institutions. Guntur Romli emphasised that PDI Perjuangan’s position remains consistent as a balancing party outside of the government.

“In our view, he was appointed by the President based on his competence and experience in the National Police, BIN (State Intelligence Agency), and the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, specifically in the fields of security, political stability, police reform, and the supremacy of law,” said Guntur Romli.

“Meanwhile, the position of PDI Perjuangan remains outside the government, serving as a political balancer to maintain the mechanism of checks and balances in our democracy,” he added.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the latest members of the Presidential Advisory Council. Five former coordinating ministers have joined the membership of the Council.

The five former coordinating ministers appointed to the Wantimpres are the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno (serving as both chairman and member); the former Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Hatta Rajasa (serving as vice chairman and member); the former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan; the former Coordinating Minister for Social, Political, and Security Affairs, Agum Gumelar; and the former Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Chairul Tanjung.