Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto replaced Foreign Minister Sugiono with career diplomat Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir and overhauled key economic and security portfolios during a Cabinet reshuffle at the presidential palace in Jakarta on Oct. 1.
Arrmanatha Nasir Takes the Helm at the Foreign Ministry
Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, who previously served as a vice-minister for foreign affairs and as Indonesia’s ambassador to the United Nations and France, was sworn in to succeed Sugiono on Oct. 1. Sugiono, a close political aide to the President and secretary-general of the ruling Gerindra party, was reassigned as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, taking over from Pratikno, according to straitstimes.com. The appointment is seen by analysts as an effort to steady the diplomatic ship after domestic criticism regarding Jakarta joining U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative. “The global situation today is far from simple, so the challenges we face are enormous,” Arrmanatha told reporters on Oct. 1, as reported by straitstimes.com. “We are also grateful that Indonesia’s foreign policy has always been consistent. So whoever serves as foreign minister, the reference point is clear – our laws.” Arrmanatha stated Sugiono ran the ministry very well and that the new leadership will continue previous programs, including a bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2029–2030 term.
Presidential Chief of Staff Assumes Security Portfolio
The Oct. 1 reshuffle involved changes taking effect immediately across coordinating ministers, ministers, deputy ministers, agency heads, and the national police force, according to straitstimes.com. The changes included appointing Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman as the new Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs. Meanwhile, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia was appointed to a newly created position as Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition while retaining his existing energy portfolio. Muhammad Sarmuji was sworn in as Industry Minister, replacing Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, straitstimes.com reported. National Narcotics Agency head Suyudi Ario Seto took over as the national police chief, replacing General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who transitioned to become the Presidential Chief of Staff, according to straitstimes.com.
Precedent of Policy Shifts and Diplomatic Challenges
The latest cabinet shake-up follows a previous minor reshuffle on Sept. 14, when Prabowo sacked finance minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and replaced him with deputy Suahasil Nazara. Analysts observed that Sugiono’s foreign ministry had been sidelined as Prabowo played a more dominant role in foreign policy initiatives, which included Indonesia entering BRICS and pledging troops to a proposed international stabilization force for Gaza. Meanwhile, University of Indonesia international law expert Hikmahanto Juwana told straitstimes.com that the appointment of a career diplomat addresses internal coordination gaps. The professor pointed to a November 2024 maritime agreement blunder in Beijing that controversially referenced “overlapping claims” in the South China Sea, noting that a career diplomat is expected to better align policy and communicate Jakarta’s longstanding positions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Jakarta Shake-Up
Who replaced Sugiono as Indonesia’s foreign minister?
Career diplomat Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir was sworn in as the new foreign minister on Oct. 1, succeeding Sugiono, who was reassigned as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, straitstimes.com reported.
Who took over the national police chief position?
Police Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, former head of the National Narcotics Agency, was sworn in as the new national police chief, replacing General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, straitstimes.com reported.