On October 20, 2024, newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced the formation of the country's largest-ever Cabinet, dubbed the “Red and White Cabinet,” consisting of 109 members. This significant expansion follows the previous Cabinet under Joko Widodo, which had only 34 ministers and heads of government agencies. Subianto emphasized the need for a strong administration to unify Indonesia's multicultural society and political interests, despite concerns from analysts about potential bureaucratic bloat.
Subianto, now the eighth president of Indonesia, was sworn in alongside Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the son of former President Widodo. This partnership marks a shift from rivalry to alliance, as Subianto and Widodo, who had previously contested the presidency against each other, now work together, with Widodo's tacit support playing a crucial role in Subianto’s electoral success.
The Cabinet reflects a coalition of seven supporting parties and includes numerous reappointments from Widodo's administration, such as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, a respected figure in international finance. Subianto aims for a bold agenda, targeting an 8% annual economic growth rate by the end of his term, increased defense spending, higher civil servant salaries, and a program to provide free meals to 83 million children.