New Advisory Council Inaugurated to Advise President Prabowo

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto officially appointed 26 members of the Indonesian Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday, October 2, 2026. Following the appointment, the council's head, vice head, and several members shared their views on the mandate and role they would undertake in advising the president.

Head of the council, Pratikno, expressed gratitude for the trust placed by President Prabowo. He said the council's new composition "reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences" of the country's prominent figures.

"As you know, the new members of Wantimpres are national figures from various fields, religions, and professions, who have extensive experience serving our beloved country," Pratikno told reporters following the inauguration, as quoted from Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat.

Pratikno said the members' diverse knowledge and experience would be an important asset as the body provides advice, input, and consideration to the President, as mandated by law. Pratikno emphasized that all of the council's work is directed toward advising the President.

"With the wealth of knowledge and extraordinary experience of the members of the Presidential Advisory Council, we are confident that we can provide advice, input, and considerations as mandated by law. So our task is specifically focused on one beneficiary, namely the president," he continued.

Similarly, Vice Head Hatta Rajasa said the council would seek to provide quality input to Prabowo by bringing together the various perspectives and knowledge of its members. He also emphasized the confidential nature of the advice given to the president, in accordance with the law.

“Our task is to help the president succeed by providing quality input from various aspects that we bring together, based on the various knowledge we have. But colleagues, please never ask what advice we give the President, because under the law, we are prohibited from disclosing it," Hatta, a former minister during previous governments, said.

Meanwhile, council member Rocky Gerung revealed a specific message from Prabowo on the council's position and responsibilities. Prabowo, he said, emphasized that it has an ethical rather than technical role, meaning its members are expected to assess the impact of policies while also advising on policy direction to align them with the president's vision.

Rocky, the country's prominent philosopher and academician, added that the council would not merely respond to concrete, day-to-day issues. He said a process of contemplation and evaluation was needed to view issues from a broader perspective, including in considering the nation's future.

"It is something like an oversight committee—in a company, it would be called an oversight committee. But because this is a public company, expertise is required, sharp instincts must be relied upon, and most importantly, we must show without hesitation what is wrong in public perceptions of power, and how power can turn those perceptions into something positive for the country," he said.

Another Wantimpres member, Budi Tanuwibowo, viewed the diversity of Wantimpres' composition as a reflection of the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, Indonesia's national motto meaning "unity in diversity". As a member of the Confucian community, he expressed hope that togetherness and social harmony would continue to strengthen Indonesia as it moves forward.

"With what happened today, with today's event, I feel that this country has truly upheld one of its pillars, its motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Hopefully, with increasingly complete and stronger togetherness, our beloved Indonesia—with all the enormous potential that we know it has—along with the harmony and readiness of its people, I am confident Indonesia will move forward. When that will happen depends on our togetherness and our strong determination," Budi concluded.