Prabowo Vows Swift Action, Fewer Costs Despite ‘Fat’ Cabinet

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to streamline costs and improve efficiency in his cabinet, despite establishing a larger bureaucracy than his predecessor. In his first plenary meeting, Prabowo emphasized the need for efficiency and focus on strategic areas such as infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and food self-sufficiency.

Prabowo's cabinet, with 48 ministries and over 100 ministers and deputies, is significantly larger than Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's 34 ministries. However, Prabowo believes that this structure will allow for better focus on key areas, particularly infrastructure development. He has vowed to cut down on ceremonial events and overseas trips to reduce costs, stating, "I want efficiency."


Prabowo's plan to reduce costs and improve efficiency is expected to have a positive impact on resource allocation to key sectors. By prioritizing infrastructure projects and poverty alleviation programs, the government can drive economic growth and social welfare. Some specific infrastructure projects expected to receive priority include the development of toll roads, airports, and seaports, as well as improvements to public transportation systems.


Prabowo's focus on poverty alleviation and food self-sufficiency also presents investment opportunities in the agriculture and social welfare sectors. The government's commitment to providing free school meals nationwide, with a budget of 71 trillion rupiah ($4.5 billion) in the first year, is a testament to this focus. This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on Indonesia's social welfare and poverty reduction efforts.

Prabowo has also pledged to reduce red tape and bottlenecks, which will likely improve the ease of doing business and the investment climate in Indonesia. This commitment, coupled with the government's focus on strategic areas, is expected to attract foreign direct investments (FDI) and stimulate economic growth.

In conclusion, Prabowo's plan to cut costs and improve efficiency in the cabinet, despite its larger size, is a positive step towards driving economic stability and continuity. The focus on strategic areas such as infrastructure and poverty alleviation, along with the commitment to reducing red tape, is expected to have a significant impact on foreign direct investments and the overall investment climate in Indonesia.