President Prabowo Subianto officially appointed and swore in 26 members of the Presidential Advisory Council, known as Wantimpres, at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday, October 1, 2026. Former Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan confirmed his new role during the ceremony, stating that the council’s immediate priority is safeguarding the success of the government programs led by President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming.
Budi Gunawan Outlines Priority Program Oversight in Jakarta
Following the swearing-in ceremony at the State Palace, Budi Gunawan told reporters that the newly formed council will map and deepen its approach toward key presidential initiatives. He emphasized that the primary responsibility of Wantimpres members is ensuring that the administration’s priority programs deliver direct benefits to the public. The council plans to undergo a period of internal consolidation to organize its workflow and establish specific operational steps moving forward.
When asked about any specific instructions from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri regarding his new appointment, Budi Gunawan stated that there were no special directives. He asked for public support to ensure his tenure and the council’s broader mission succeed for the country. The administration’s leadership structure for the advisory body places Pratikno as the Chairman of Wantimpres, with Hatta Rajasa serving as Vice Chairman.
Financial Disclosures and Wealth Reports of Wantimpres Members
News Satu reported that the wealth disclosures of the newly appointed Wantimpres members submitted to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) through the electronic State Officials Wealth Report (LHKPN) system have drawn significant public interest. Business tycoon Dato Sri Tahir recorded the highest declared wealth among the council members at Rp9.35 trilion, based on his filing on May 2, 2025. Media outlet News Satu noted that Chairul Tanjung followed with Rp7.49 trilion from his 2014 ministerial filing, while Wantimpres Secretary Muhammad Qodari reported Rp300.59 miliar.
Additional wealth disclosures highlighted by News Satu include Bambang Soesatyo at Rp212.17 miliar, Ignasius Jonan at Rp85.31 miliar, and Said Aqil Siroj at Rp50.53 miliar. Anwar Usman reported Rp37.95 miliar, Budi Gunawan recorded Rp36.23 miliar, and Soekarwo listed Rp36.13 miliar. Council leadership wealth filings show Chairman Pratikno at Rp22.75 miliar and Vice Chairman Hatta Rajasa at Rp30.23 miliar alongside 75,092 US dollars. Meanwhile, other appointees such as Rocky Gerung, Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, and Yahya Cholil Staquf currently have no wealth data recorded in the public LHKPN system.
Rocky Gerung Explains Ethical Oversight and Political Independence
Political analyst and academic Rocky Gerung addressed his decision to accept a seat on the council, telling AFU.id that his appointment represents a transition from external critique to internal advisory. Rocky stated that his core viewpoints remain unchanged despite joining the administration, describing his role as an ethical oversight committee rather than a bureaucratic position. He emphasized that Wantimpres members focus on monitoring the broader trajectory of government policy to ensure alignment with presidential campaign promises rather than managing daily technical evaluations handled by ministries.
According to AFU.id, Rocky dismissed concerns regarding potential political bias, asserting that ethical responsibilities remain strictly normative and independent of group interests. He explained that the advisory council works to bridge gaps in public perception and ensure government messaging remains positive and clear. Charta Politika Executive Director Yunarto Wijaya offered a different perspective during a KompasTV dialog, suggesting that President Prabowo either genuinely seeks high-level strategic mindset inputs or is utilizing the large 26-member council as a representative showcase for political accommodation following recent cabinet reshuffles.
Did You Know? President Prabowo Subianto appointed a total of 26 members to the Presidential Advisory Council on October 1, 2026, naming Pratikno as Chairman and Hatta Rajasa as Vice Chairman.
Expert Insight: The inclusion of high-profile figures from vastly different political and economic backgrounds signals an effort by the administration to centralize broad national expertise.
Pratikno and Hatta Rajasa Lead the Wantimpres Council
Who leads the newly appointed Wantimpres council?
Pratikno serves as the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council, while Hatta Rajasa serves as the Vice Chairman, following their appointment by President Prabowo Subianto on October 1, 2026.
What specific mandate did Budi Gunawan receive for his role?
Budi Gunawan stated that his assignment focuses on safeguarding the priority programs of President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming to ensure direct benefits reach the community.
How did Rocky Gerung describe the function of the advisory council?
Rocky Gerung described Wantimpres as an oversight committee with an ethical mandate rather than a technical one, tasked with monitoring policy direction and bridging public perceptions with government goals.
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