‘Political’ reshuffle puts RI industrial policy at a crossroads
Analysts warned that the change could signal less emphasis on non-mineral industries such as textiles and footwear, while the energy transition could take a back seat when it conflicts with the government’s increasingly dominant downstreaming agenda.
President Prabowo Subianto's latest cabinet reshuffle has sparked concerns about Indonesia's industrial policy, with analysts warning that the move could signal a shift away from non-mineral sectors like textiles and footwear. The energy transition could also take a backseat as the government prioritizes its downstream processing agenda.
In the most significant reshuffle yet, Prabowo appointed Golkar Party chairman Bahlil Lahadalia as coordinating minister for downstream and energy transition, bringing the number of coordinating ministers to eight. Meanwhile, the party's secretary-general, Muhammad Sarmuji, now heads the industry ministry, replacing longtime incumbent Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.
Political analyst Wasisto Raharjo Jati from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) suggests these appointments are more about political clout than technical expertise, indicating that Golkar's growing influence in the coalition could shape Indonesia's industrial future.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
