KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has not yet appointed ministers to fill two vacant cabinet positions: the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, and the Minister of Youth and Sports.

Aris Marsudiyanto, Head of Development Control and Special Investigations Agency (Bappisus), stated that he does not know when the appointments will take place. When asked whether the inauguration would be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, he advised waiting for an official announcement from State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi.

“I’m not sure about Wednesday. Once a decision is made, it will be announced by the State Secretary,” Aris told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

One name widely rumored to be joining the Merah Putih Cabinet is Mahfud MD. Aris emphasized that ministerial appointments are the sole prerogative of President Prabowo Subianto.

He said the decision rests entirely with the President, and that whoever is chosen will be among the nation’s finest, regardless of ethnicity, race, or religion.

“The cabinet is the President’s prerogative. I can’t comment on it, but I’m confident he’ll select the best sons of the nation, without discrimination, no matter their background or origin,” he said.

Earlier, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi addressed the vacant positions of Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menkopolkam) and Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora). He explained that the Menkopolkam role would be filled on an interim basis.

“For now, the President has not made a definitive appointment for Menkopolkam. He will assign someone to serve in an interim capacity,” Prasetyo said at the State Palace on Monday, September 8, 2025.

President Prabowo recently reshuffled his cabinet, replacing Finance Minister Sri Mulyani with Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. Ferry Julianto was appointed Minister of Cooperatives, replacing Budi Arie Setiadi.

The reshuffle also affected the Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection (P2MI), where Abdul Kadir Karding was replaced by Mukhtarudin. Dito Ariotedjo was removed from his post as Minister of Youth and Sports.

Budi Gunawan was also affected by the reshuffle, removed from his role as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs. In addition, President Prabowo established a new ministry, appointing Mochamad Irfan Yusuf as Minister of Hajj and Umrah, with Daniel Anzhar Simanjuntak as Deputy Minister. ***

Translator: Diffa Sephiawardhani

Editor: Sri Wahyuni