Indonesia’s Prabowo appoints allies, tycoons to advisory council

Key facts

• President Prabowo Subianto appointed a new presidential advisory council on Friday, October 2.
• The council includes tycoons, politicians, and influential former Islamic leaders.
• Among the 24 new members are billionaires Dato Sri Tahir and Chairul Tanjung.
• The council also includes two former leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama and four senior politicians.
• Anwar Usman, removed as Constitutional Court chief justice, is also a new member.
• The appointments aim to shore up Prabowo's political power amid a ratings slide.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has appointed a new presidential advisory council, including tycoons, politicians, and former Islamic leaders, as he navigates declining approval ratings and political pressure. The council, established in 2006, advises the president on government policy but holds no power to set or control it.

Among the 24 new members are local billionaires Dato Sri Tahir, founder of Mayapada Group, and Chairul Tanjung, founder of CT Corp, whose businesses span finance, media, retail, and hospitality. The council also features two former leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, and four senior politicians from Prabowo's coalition partners, three of whom are former cabinet ministers. Notably, Anwar Usman, who was removed as Constitutional Court chief justice over an ethics violation related to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's eligibility, is also among the appointees.

These personnel changes follow two cabinet reshuffles in the preceding three weeks, which saw new finance and foreign ministers appointed. Analysts suggest the appointments are intended to bolster Prabowo's political support base amidst concerns about his administration's policymaking. "This is an extraordinary opportunity to share our experiences," said Pratikno, the council's head. Arya Fernandes, an analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, noted that the "big homework" for the council will be to effectively contribute to strategic policy formulation.