Indonesia’s new government, led by President Prabowo Subianto, has introduced the largest cabinet in Southeast Asia, with 48 ministers. This stands in stark contrast to Singapore, which operates with the smallest ministerial team in the region, reflecting a divergent approach to governance within ASEAN.
Indonesia, under President Prabowo Subianto, now holds the largest cabinet in Southeast Asia, comprising 48 ministers and several agency heads. This move positions Indonesia at the top in terms of cabinet size, as regional neighbors such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore maintain smaller, more streamlined ministerial structures.
President Prabowo Subianto officially unveiled his extensive cabinet, dubbed the Kabinet Merah Putih, on October 20, 2024. With 48 ministries and five agency heads holding ministerial-level positions, the administration exceeds both the previous Jokowi-era cabinet, which had 32 ministers, and even cabinets during the Suharto regime.
This expansive government structure reflects Indonesia’s complex governance and broad sectoral needs, ranging from the economy to education and social issues. By comparison, countries like Cambodia and Thailand have 42 and 35 ministers respectively, while Singapore, with only 19 ministers, ranks at the bottom of Southeast Asia.
The significant increase in ministerial roles stems from the government’s desire to distribute responsibilities more effectively across various sectors. Prabowo’s cabinet also includes seven coordinating ministries, a system designed to enhance efficiency across different departments.
The decision to expand the cabinet was made in consultation with Prabowo’s coalition, aiming to better support the administration’s ambitious national agenda. Susiwijono Moegiharso, Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, highlighted Batam’s rising prominence as an example of how Indonesia’s strategic regions are benefiting from this comprehensive governance model.
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While Indonesia’s extensive cabinet may streamline policy-making at home, it differs from the minimalist approach taken by countries like Singapore. Singapore’s compact governance structure reflects its focus on efficiency and tightly coordinated bureaucracy, compared to Indonesia’s vast geography and more decentralized governance.
Indonesia’s expanded cabinet showcases the diverse governance styles within ASEAN. With Indonesia embracing a more complex structure and Singapore favoring efficiency, these differences underscore the unique political landscapes across the region.
Indonesia now leads Southeast Asia in terms of cabinet size, with 48 ministers under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. In contrast, Singapore remains the most streamlined, with just 19 ministers, highlighting divergent governance approaches in the region.
Keywords: Indonesia Cabinet Ministers, Southeast Asia, Singapore Government
