President Prabowo Subianto officially appointed 26 members to the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) during a swearing-in ceremony at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. According to reporting from ANTARA News, the newly inducted council features Pratikno as chairman, Hatta Rajasa as vice chairman, and Muhammad Qodari as secretary. Additional members sworn in during the event include prominent figures such as Shinta Nuriyah Wahid, Muhammad Quraish Shihab, Agum Gumelar, Budi Gunawan, and Rocky Gerung.
Following the ceremony, council member Rocky Gerung outlined the core mandate of his new role, stating that the president emphasized an ethical stance rather than a technical one. Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, Gerung explained that the council operates as an oversight committee designed to monitor government policies and evaluate programs against the president’s campaign promises and overarching vision. He noted that while the position carries a normative duty to oversee public governance and address public perceptions of power, it also entails a political function in monitoring politics and culture.
The establishment of the 26-member council follows recent cabinet shifts, including a cabinet reshuffle reported by Kompas where Pratikno transitioned from his previous role as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture. Additional coverage from Kompas noted that while 24 members attended the initial ceremony at the State Palace, two designated members—former Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan and PGI Chairperson Jacky Manuputty—did not attend the in-person event, though Pratikno confirmed they remain official council members under the presidential decree.
Did You Know? The newly appointed council brings together a diverse array of national figures, including religious leaders, former coordinating ministers, academics, and business owners, operating under a Presidential Decree (Keppres) to provide ethical and political oversight for the executive branch.
Council Evaluates Government Programs Using Professional Expertise
The newly structured Presidential Advisory Council functions much like an oversight committee in the corporate sector, according to council member Rocky Gerung. Speaking after his swearing-in, Gerung emphasized that the body is not meant to handle daily administrative questions for the president. Instead, members rely on professional expertise and analytical instincts to evaluate government programs and address discrepancies between public perception and executive power.
Newly Appointed Council Members Begin Monitoring Duties
Following their swearing-in under Presidential Decree Number 107/P of 2026, the newly appointed council members are expected to begin their monitoring and evaluation duties.
Council Leadership and Missing Swearing-In Attendees
Who leads the Presidential Advisory Council?
Pratikno serves as the chairman of the council, with Hatta Rajasa acting as vice chairman and Muhammad Qodari serving as secretary, according to reports from ANTARA News and CNBC Indonesia.
Why did some members miss the swearing-in ceremony?
Pratikno confirmed that former Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan and PGI Chairperson Jacky Manuputty did not attend the in-person ceremony at the State Palace, but noted they remain official members under the presidential decree.
What is the primary role of the council members?
Council member Rocky Gerung stated that the body holds an ethical and political responsibility to monitor government policy, evaluate state programs, and ensure executive actions align with the president’s vision and campaign promises.
How will this newly formed advisory council alter how the executive branch receives public feedback?