IDNAround.com – President-elect Prabowo Subianto met with several prominent figures on Monday, October 14, to discuss ministerial roles for his upcoming administration. The meetings, which lasted from noon until late evening, were held at Prabowo’s residence on Jalan Kertanegara, Jakarta.
Among the attendees were three graduates of Indonesia’s prestigious Military Academy (Akmil), all recipients of the Adhi Makayasa award for being top graduates in their respective years. These figures are expected to take significant roles in Prabowo’s cabinet alongside Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
The three Akmil graduates under consideration are Donny Ermawan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense; Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, a politician from the Democratic Party; and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR) and Chairman of the Democratic Party.
Donny Ermawan: Defense Specialist with an Air Force Legacy
Air Vice Marshal (Ret.) Donny Ermawan confirmed after the meeting that he had been offered a position in the Prabowo-Gibran administration but did not disclose the exact ministry.
“I’ve met with him [Prabowo] many times. The assignment will align with my area of expertise,” Donny told reporters outside Prabowo’s residence in South Jakarta.
Donny, born on December 12, 1965, is a retired officer of the Indonesian Air Force. A top graduate of the Air Force Academy in 1988, Donny received the Adhi Makayasa award. His last position in the military was as Commander of Air Operations Command II (Pangkoopsau II). Currently, he serves as Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense.
Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman: Vision for Eastern Indonesia’s Development
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Iftitah Sulaiman said Prabowo asked him to join the cabinet and specifically tasked him with drafting development plans for Eastern Indonesia.
“He emphasized that this is a strategic position because the future of Indonesia lies in the east,” Iftitah said after the meeting.
Iftitah, originally from Pandeglang, Banten, has built a career as a businessman, investor, and consultant after leaving the military. He was the top graduate of the Military Academy in 1999, earning the Adhi Makayasa award from the Indonesian President. Known for his expertise in cavalry, Iftitah took early retirement due to military reforms prohibiting soldiers from engaging in politics or business.
Following his retirement, he acquired several companies in the investment and consultancy sectors. Today, he leads ventures focusing on energy and other business areas.
Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono: Military Officer Turned Politician
Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), son of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), also attended the meeting at Prabowo’s residence. AHY, currently serving as Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Chairman of the Democratic Party, expressed gratitude for the trust Prabowo placed in him.
“I am honored to have been entrusted with such a strategic role, and on behalf of my family and the Democratic Party, I thank him,” AHY told reporters. However, he refrained from revealing his exact role in the new administration, saying, “I’ll leave that to Pak Prabowo to announce.”
Born in Bandung on August 10, 1978, AHY had a diverse upbringing, living in various places including Timor-Leste and the United States due to his father’s military postings. He completed high school at Taruna Nusantara in Magelang and later graduated top of his class at the Military Academy in 2000, earning the Adhi Makayasa award.
AHY holds three master’s degrees:
- Master of Science in Strategic Studies from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2006)
- Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, USA (2010)
- Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Webster University, USA
He also graduated summa cum laude from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Cabinet Discussions Continue Ahead of October 20 Inauguration
Prabowo’s discussions with potential ministers are part of the final preparations for the inauguration on October 20. In addition to Donny, Iftitah, and AHY, other officials from President Joko Widodo’s administration, including Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, were also seen attending meetings with Prabowo.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto also joined Prabowo for discussions on geopolitical tensions and their economic impact. When asked about his potential role, Airlangga advised reporters to “wait for the official announcement.”
With these developments, anticipation is building around Prabowo’s cabinet lineup, especially given his campaign promises of ambitious economic growth and regional development across Indonesia.
Baca Juga : Indonesia Denied Historic Win After Last-Minute Drama Against Bahrain
