How Did Indonesia’s Palace Respond to the Shadow Cabinet?

Indonesian Presidential Palace Addresses the Shadow Cabinet

How Did Indonesia s Palace Respond – The Indonesian Presidential Palace has acknowledged the presence of a Shadow Cabinet as a complement to the official Red and White Cabinet led by President Prabowo Subianto. This initiative, spearheaded by civil society, serves as a mechanism to oversee government operations and propose alternative policies. The formation of the Shadow Cabinet has sparked discussions within the administration about its role and implications.

Government’s Open Approach to Feedback

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi expressed the government’s willingness to consider input from diverse sources. “We welcome all constructive contributions, regardless of their origin,” he said during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on July 20, 2026. Hadi emphasized that the administration would evaluate the Shadow Cabinet’s structure and purpose carefully.

“Anyone with genuine intentions and valuable ideas is always appreciated,” Prasetyo added, highlighting the government’s collaborative stance.

Vice Chair of the Gerindra Party further elaborated on the importance of constructive engagement. Comparing the process to a football team, he stated, “Unity, teamwork, and mutual effort are vital, but success isn’t guaranteed even with these qualities.”

The former People’s Representative Council member clarified that the analogy should not be taken literally. “It’s a metaphor, not a direct comparison,” he noted, ensuring the public understands the symbolic nature of the comparison.

Shadow Cabinet’s Purpose and Structure

The civil society coalition established the Shadow Cabinet to act as a counterpart to the official government body. Composed of activists, academics, and experts, the group aims to monitor policies and develop evidence-based alternatives. Feri Amsari, chair of the Shadow Cabinet Selection Committee, explained the initiative’s motivation.

“The cabinet was formed due to concerns about the declining effectiveness of checks and balances,” Feri said in a written statement on July 17, 2026. “Its goal is to support, not replace, the existing administration.”

Feri emphasized that the Shadow Cabinet operates independently of political parties, focusing on merit-based selection. “We choose individuals based on their expertise, not their affiliations,” he clarified, outlining the cabinet’s non-partisan approach.

Of the 121 applicants and 102 names proposed by civil society networks, 15 ministers were selected to mirror Prabowo’s cabinet. Each Shadow Cabinet minister will oversee corresponding policies in the official government, providing specialized critiques and alternatives.

Composition of the Shadow Cabinet

Here is the list of the Shadow Cabinet members: 1. State Secretary Minister: Feri Amsari 2. Minister of Home and National Security: Armand Suparman 3. Foreign Minister: Shofwan Al-Banna Choiruzzad 4. Defense Minister: Curie Maharani 5. Minister of Women’s Rights and Marginalized Groups: Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati 6. Minister of Law and State Policy: Yance Arizona 7. Minister of Economy: Media Wahyudi Askar 8. Minister of Finance and Budget Governance: Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara 9. Minister of Environmental Protection and Climate Change: Iqbal Damanik 10. Minister of Education and Culture: Iman Zanatul Haeri 11. Minister of Research, Technology, and Digital: Nenden Sekar Arum 12. Health Minister: Irma Hidayana 13. Minister of Social and Basic Services: Nabiyla Risfa Izzati 14. Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty: Isnawati Hidayah 15. Cabinet Secretary: Ahmad Jilul Q.

Dian Rahma Fika and Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article.