April 23, 2025
JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto has called on his ministers to maintain unity in his administration amid speculation of divided loyalties among some cabinet members and the lingering influence of his predecessor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the father of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Prabowo reportedly conveyed the message during a phone call on Sunday with Coordinating Social Empowerment Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, who chairs the pro-government National Awakening Party (PKB).
Muhaimin at the time was hosting a post-Idul Fitri social gathering at his residence in Jakarta, which was attended by several members of the cabinet and politicians belonging to parties in Prabowo’s coalition.
Muhaimin said Prabowo called him because he was unable to attend the gathering.
“The President called me to convey Idul Fitri greetings and [he also said that he] wanted all ministers to continue to close ranks,” Muhaimin was quoted by Kompas.com as saying on Sunday.
Prabowo’s Gerindra Party executive Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who is also a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and along with a list of prominent figures, such as former vice president Ma’ruf Amin, were also among the guests.
Read also: Prabowo faces leadership test as Jokowi’s influence lingers
Muhaimin said that while there were no special discussions during the event, the gathering was intended to enhance cooperation among cabinet members.
“The purpose of this halal bi halal is to improve collaboration between ministers in the Red and White Cabinet,” he said.
Prabowo, who assumed office late last year, has faced renewed questions about the loyalty of his cabinet after a steady stream of his ministers who are allied with Jokowi was seen visiting the former president in his residence in Surakarta, Central Java, in recent weeks.
The visits took place when Prabowo was away for his five-country tour of the Middle East and amid rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle after Idul Fitri, which the Presidential Palace and Prabowo’s Gerindra had denied.
Adding to the controversy, two ministers visiting Jokowi two weeks ago for an Idul Fitri event publicly referred to the former president as their “boss” despite them now serving under Prabowo.
The wave of visits to the former president has extended beyond incumbent ministers, with top military and police generals, as well as regional leaders, including East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, being among the latest visitors last week.
Read also: Prabowo coalition downplays Jokowi’s lingering influence over ministers
Presidential spokesman and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has firmly denied that Prabowo’s demand for unity signaled a rift in the cabinet, saying that the President has often encouraged ministers to stay united not because of conflict, but to maintain the morale of the cabinet.
“Prabowo always sees the Red and White Cabinet as a team. Of course, it needs to stay tightly united,” Prasetyo, a Gerindra politician, said on Monday.
Prasetyo also said the recent visits by some ministers to Jokowi were completely normal, considering the Idul Fitri holiday season.
“It is about maintaining ties,” Prasetyo said. “We are solid. Everyone is working hard in their respective field,” he said.