Prabowo Says Strategic Cabinet Positions Filled by Many Professors

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that many strategic positions within his cabinet are held by professors. He explained that this is because scientists play a crucial role in helping the government find solutions to the various problems facing the nation. Prabowo said the main objective of state administration is to realise a decent and prosperous life for the people. As head of government, he is obliged to face the various challenges confronting Indonesia while also seeking solutions. “From the beginning, I have been very aware of the role and importance of scientists, of professors. And because of that, if you observe, in almost every key area of government, I have included professors in very decisive positions,” Prabowo said during the National Dialogue at the 2026 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) at JCC, Central Jakarta, on Friday (26/6). Prabowo said the placement of professors in strategic positions aligns with his view that the success of an organisation is determined by the quality of the people running it, not merely the technology or equipment it possesses. According to him, this lesson was gained from his leadership experience over the years. He likened a leader to a ship captain who needs a reliable crew to bring the ship safely to its destination. “One of the leadership lessons I have learned on my journey is that a leader, a captain who wants to safely bring his ship to its destination, must have a reliable crew,” he said. He then compared this principle to the world of sports. According to Prabowo, a football team needs not only good players but also a competent manager, coach, and entire support team to achieve victory. “If we want to win at football, we must have a good manager, a good coach, good trainers, a good masseur, a good water boy, and the best team, only then can we become champions. It is the same in all fields,” he said. Prabowo stressed that success is determined by the quality of the people operating the systems and equipment. “It is not the technology, it is not the equipment, it is the man and the women behind the equipment. This is what we realise. It is useless to have the most sophisticated aircraft if the pilot is not reliable,” he added.