April 25, 2025
JAKARTA – President Prabowo Subianto is considering tapping into more members of his inner circle to use as spokespeople to work alongside State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, who has already begun assuming the role of presidential spokesman, marking a shift in how the administration handles public messaging.
The move came after Prabowo appointed Prasetyo as the new spokesperson, a role previously played by the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), amid mounting pressure for the government to change its public communication strategy following a series of controversial remarks from officials.
Now, two additional figures from Prabowo’s inner circle are under consideration to join Prasetyo in helping recalibrate the administration’s public communication strategy: First Deputy Communication and Digital Minister Angga Raka Prabowo and Second Deputy State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro.
Angga is a politician of Prabowo’s Gerindra Party, while Juri was closely involved in his presidential campaign in the February 2024 election.
Prasetyo unveiled the nomination on Monday, saying: “I have proposed that Angga and Juri be named presidential spokespersons because of their experience”.
Political communication analyst Kunto Adi Wibowo said the appointment of Prasetyo and the likely inclusion of more figures loyal to Prabowo in his communication team reflected the President’s growing reliance on his inner circle to improve his public messaging and present a more unified voice.
“He clearly trusts and feels comfortable only with people who have been working with him for a long time,” Kunto said. “These are people who already understand how Prabowo thinks. They don’t need detailed instructions — they know what to say and how to say it.”
Read also: Prabowo appoints state secretary as presidential spokesperson
Prasetyo and Angga have long-standing ties with the President, both having built their political careers with Gerindra, which Prabowo cofounded in 2008 and has chaired since 2014. Prasetyo now serves as one of the executives on the party’s central board, while Angga serves as the deputy secretary-general.
Though not a member of Gerindra, Juri was one of Prabowo’s deputy campaign managers last year. He served as a presidential special staffer in the administration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Political analyst Adi Prayitno described Prabowo’s move as “a corrective step” in response to growing frustration among the public and the media with the way the government, including the PCO, has been handling public communication.
The communication office, which was been led by Hasan Nasbi since its establishment at the end of Jokowi’s time in office, has been in hot water recently over tone-deaf and rude statements in response to public criticism, coupled with poor engagement with the public and opaque policymaking.
Adi suggested that Prabowo naming new spokespeople might also reflect his disconnect with those working under the PCO, some of whom were staunch supporters of Jokowi during the 2014 and 2019 elections, when Prabowo was on the opposing side.
“There is always an inherent risk when the government’s key messaging is handled by people who were once vocal opponents,” Adi said, noting that they may be unable to truly understand the President’s true intention.
By contrast, figures like Prasetyo, widely seen as part of Prabowo’s innermost political circle, are viewed as safer, more ideologically consistent choices. “Prasetyo represents not just the Palace, but also Prabowo himself and Gerindra. He brings loyalty and credibility.”
Read also: Prabowo opens up in first in-depth media interview amid PR setback
Analyst Kunto said while trusted aides could convey the President’s messages more clearly, he questioned whether the shift addresses deeper issues. “Communication has not been seen as strategic affairs. It’s treated like a fire extinguisher, used only when there’s trouble. That’s not how you build trust [with the public].”
He criticized how the government has continued to sideline public communication in its policymaking process, noting that: “Even as Prabowo has both the PCO and a presidential spokesperson, we are still left wondering what exactly Hasan and his team are doing?”