Reasons Civil Coalition Formed Prabowo's Shadow Cabinet
A civil society coalition comprising academics and activists has formed a shadow cabinet. The alternative cabinet comprises fifteen ministerial posts and will serve as a counterweight to the Merah Putih Cabinet led by President Prabowo Subianto.
Feri Amsari, chairman of the Shadow Cabinet Selection Committee, said the fifteen shadow ministers were selected from 121 applicants after a rigorous and open selection process. “This marks the founding of the first shadow cabinet born from the initiative of the Indonesian people,” Feri said in a statement quoted on Sunday, 19 July 2026.
Feri revealed the reason civil society formed this alternative cabinet. He said the shadow cabinet is a response to the absence of checks and balances on the executive under President Prabowo.
At present, Feri said, nearly all political forces today stand in the ranks of government supporters. “There is no formal opposition strong enough to counterbalance the policies of the Merah Putih Cabinet,” said the academic, who was also selected as shadow minister of state affairs.
Seeing this void, Feri said a group of academics, civil society campaigners, and citizens took the initiative to form a shadow cabinet as a form of people’s opposition. “One assembled on the basis of meritocracy, not on the basis of dividing up power,” he said.
According to Feri, the Shadow Cabinet is not an alternative cabinet competing for power. “The Shadow Cabinet is a platform for oversight and the formulation of evidence-based alternative policies, working pro bono and non-partisan,” he said.
Tempo attempted to contact Minister of State Affairs Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya to ascertain the palace’s response to the shadow cabinet formed by civil society. Neither has responded.
In forming this shadow cabinet, the recruitment of prospective ministers began on 12 May 2026. The selection was conducted openly and rigorously, and verified by an independent panel. The selection panel comprises Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Bivitri Susanti, and Zainal Arifin Mochtar.
The selection committee established six criteria for vetting the hundred or so names submitted. The six criteria include integrity, competence and a public track record, being under 50 years of age, being critical and courageous, having a commitment to the people, and having no affiliation with any political party.
Each shadow minister serves as a direct counterpart to the minister in the Merah Putih Cabinet on the same issues. “Every policy born from the government will receive a counterpoint of ideas from the shadow minister in the same field, not directionless general commentary,” Feri said.