Prabowo Subianto, the elected official, is pushing to form a big government when he takes over in October, not so much because he has ambitious big plans to implement, but rather because his cabinet members are This is because posts need to be distributed among political parties. Individuals and organizations that contributed to victory in February's election. As if that wasn't enough, Prabowo has invited some parties that have supported rival candidates in the election campaign to join the ruling coalition, giving the government even more strategic work to do. It will be given to you.
The House of Representatives has begun debating a bill that would allow Prime Minister Prabowo to increase the number of cabinet members from the maximum of 34 under current law. His campaign cited a figure of 40 or 41, but did not provide details about what new ministries would be created. The bill is guaranteed to pass quickly, as many factions in the House will benefit from the planned cabinet expansion. The 2008 Ministerial Law Amendment Draft, introduced this month, quickly became a legislative topic in the House of Representatives. House members are optimistic that the bill will be passed by the president's inauguration on October 20th.
Despite being more than five months away from taking office, political parties and individuals are already vying for cabinet positions, publicly advertising names they think should be included in the cabinet. Prabowo, who has a unique constitutional privilege, is unlikely to rush. In addition to political parties, state institutions such as the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the national police, as well as pressure groups such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Islamic mass organization, are also expected to claim compensation.
And there is outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, to whom Prabowo feels indebted for mobilizing the people to vote for him in February. Jokowi has already named his 36-year-old son, Gibran Rakabumin Raka, as his next vice president, but given his ambitions for power, he may seek a more strategic role in the next government. expensive.
Mr. Prabowo has supported more than just the parties that supported his presidential bid: his Gerindra Party, Golkar Party, the Democratic Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), and even smaller parties such as the Moon and Crescent Party. Efforts are continuing to expand the coalition to include more political parties. The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PBB) and the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) did not meet the parliamentary vote criteria to gain representation in the lower house. Among the parties that supported the rival candidates, although they did not win any seats in the House of Representatives this time, it is almost certain that the Nasdemo Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB) will join the ruling coalition, as well as the Islamic Unity and Development Party (PPP). The same is true.
Prabowo's big gain will be if he can join the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). He will get his answer on May 26, when PDI-P leader Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to announce her decision to join Prabowo or take on an opposition role. The party could win the most votes in parliamentary elections and increase Mr Prabowo's seats in the lower house, but otherwise Mr Prabowo already controls the majority. If PDI-P joins, Prabowo's coalition government will control more than 90% of the seats in the lower house. The Islamist Justice and Welfare Party (PKS) will be the only opposition party in the House of Representatives.
every Thursday
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Prabowo last week warned those in the opposition not to thwart his plans.
“You can watch from the sidelines, be a good spectator. If you refuse to cooperate, at least don't cause chaos,” Prabowo said, commenting on how far the former army general will tolerate opposition once he takes office. sparked a debate.
Giving cabinet seats is a traditional practice for elected presidents to expand their ruling coalition and secure control of the House of Representatives. Successive presidents have circumvented legal restrictions by creating the post of deputy secretary, which is not regulated by law.
Expanding the size of the cabinet and adding ministries means an increase in the budget just to run the government, not to mention programs.
Past experience suggests that it can take up to two years for a new ministry to be able to operate effectively. Recruiting staff, creating organization, structure, and processes, finding a new office building, and securing funding from the Treasury all take time.
Prabowo plans to spend on big items he promised during his campaign, including the free school lunch program and the completion of East Kalimantan's new capital, Nusantara. He also needs to spend huge amounts of money on the TNI to buy weapons and strengthen Indonesia's defense capabilities.
Prabowo insists he will find a way to fund his program and that the money will be available. His campaign said it plans to force the House of Commons to eliminate the maximum 3% budget deficit that the government is allowed to budget under current law.
Historically, big government has not only meant big spending; We expect a more proactive, if not more intrusive, government. In the economic and business realm, this means governments crowding out private sector investment, something that has already happened under Jokowi, with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) receiving the lion's share of loans and government contracts. occupies .
Human rights activists have warned of the government's intrusive influence on freedom and democracy, linking it to George Orwell's 1984's “Big Brother is Watching”.
MD Mahfud, a former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, pointed out that several ministers under Jokowi's administration have already been imprisoned for corruption, and that a larger cabinet could lead to more corruption in ministries. I warned you that there is.
Gerindra senior politician Habi Brokman took a positive view of the planned cabinet expansion, saying Indonesia is a large country with many big challenges that merit a big government.
“The more the merrier, in my opinion,” he said.
what we heard
Officials said the amendments to the State Ministries and Agencies Act include removing provisions regarding the number of ministries and agencies, and the issue will be left up to the president.
A lawmaker familiar with the proposed changes said the new law would give the president discretion to decide the size of his cabinet according to the government's needs.
Sources claim that this idea reflects Indonesia's presidential system. “That number is not fixed, so it can increase or decrease,” he said.
Several politicians in the coalition government supporting Prabowo agree that the increase in the number of ministries is aimed at accommodating the larger coalition supporting Prabowo's government. The person said Prabowo's proposed scenario involves splitting the Ministry of Environment and Forestry into two separate entities. Another department that could be split is the Department of Public Works and Housing.
The legal reform is expected to be passed by the end of the Jokowi government's term in October 2024. Sources indicated that Prabowo and his team of experts are currently developing a cabinet composition in line with the agenda and program outlined in the election platform.
Disclaimer
This content is provided in collaboration with Tenggara Strategics. jakarta post We provide the latest comprehensive and authoritative analysis of the political and business landscape in Indonesia. Visit the latest edition of Tenggar Backgrounder and read the articles listed below.
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