Can Indonesia’s cabinet reshuffle restore public trust and calm protesters?

Name: Breaking it down: what is driving protests in Indonesia and why now?
Uploaded: 2025-09-09T13:30:53.000Z
Duration: 9 min 59 s
Description: Breaking it down: what is driving protests in Indonesia and why now?

Analysts say the move was meant to signal responsiveness to protesters, but warn few will be satisfied without deeper reforms

Reading Time:4 minutes

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Indonesia’s newly appointed finance minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa (left) signs a document in front of President Prabowo Subianto during a swearing-in ceremony at the state palace in Jakarta on Monday. Photo: EPA

Resty Woro Yuniar

Published: 9:30pm, 9 Sep 2025Updated: 9:35pm, 9 Sep 2025

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet reshuffle is a “tactical” step to restore public trust in the government, according to analysts, but they argue it will not be enough to quell the unrest among protesters if it does not lead to more systemic reform.

The shake-up on Monday saw the departure of high-profile officials such as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, alongside the creation of a stand-alone Hajj and Umrah Ministry – previously overseen by the Religion Ministry.

Other dismissed officials included Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo, Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie Setiadi and Migrant Workers Protection Minister Abdul Kadir Karding.

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the changes followed “various considerations, input, and evaluations by the president”.

“May this decision bring goodness to the nation, state and society,” Prasetyo said.

09:59

Breaking it down: what is driving protests in Indonesia and why now?

Muhammad Qodari, deputy chief of presidential staff, told national broadcaster Berita Satu the reshuffle was prompted by “the current situation in national politics”, referring to the nationwide protests sparked by public anger over lawmakers’ generous housing allowances.

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Can Indonesia’s cabinet reshuffle restore public trust and calm protesters?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Analysts say the move was meant to signal responsiveness to protesters, but warn few will be satisfied without deeper reforms

Analysts say the move was meant to signal responsiveness to protesters, but warn few will be satisfied without deeper reforms