Indonesian parliament expands presidential powers as analysts express concern

Indonesia’s Parliament on Thursday passed amendments to laws that analysts said have revived concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory because they may increase political patronage and reduce the efficacy of state institutions.

The amendments were to do with the size of the cabinet and the stature of the Presidential Advisory Council, a body that provides counsel on matters of governance.

Indonesia’s House of Representatives unanimously approved the elevation of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) to a state institution, officially recognizing its members as state officials.

The amendment also allows for an expansion of its membership, previously capped at eight individuals. 

With the change, President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who takes office Oct. 20, could decide how many members are needed on the council, said Wihadi Wiyanto, a legislator from Prabowo’s Gerindra Party.

“The number will now be left to the discretion of the president, taking into account the effectiveness of running the government,” he said.

‘Bloated’

In tandem with the changes to Wantimpres, the legislature also passed amendments to the law governing the size of the cabinet, removing the current cap of 34 ministries. 

Charles Simabura, a constitutional expert from Andalas University in Padang, noted that the amendments would allow the president-elect to reward more coalition partners with cabinet positions. All but one of the parties in parliament allied with Prabowo’s Gerindra Party after the Feb. 14 election.

“The next government will have a bloated structure,” said Charles, who is executive director of the Center for Constitutional Studies at Andalas University.

The previous cap on ministries, he said, was intended to limit political patronage and ensure a more efficient government structure. 

Political observers have noted a growing tendency toward political accommodation, as successive governments have forged unwieldy coalitions that often prioritize political expediency over effective governance.

Trubus Rahadiansyah, a public policy expert from Trisakti University in Jakarta, pointed to overlapping responsibilities among ministries in the current government of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

He cited the agriculture sector, where responsibilities are currently shared between the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Food Agency, and the newly created National Nutrition Agency.

“These overlapping roles create conflicting policies and [can] be a burden on state coffers,” Trubus said.

The nutrition agency was created to implement Prabowo’s big campaign promise of free lunch for all school children. But it also has broader functions, including coordinating national nutrition policy and managing state assets related to nutrition, among other responsibilities.

Prabowo’s supporters argue that the amendments are necessary to ensure a stable and effective government. 

Ahmad Baidowi, a senior legislator from the United Development Party (PPP) that’s now an ally of Prabowo’s Gerindra in parliament, defended the amendments. 

“[They are] intended to give the president greater flexibility in forming a cabinet to ensure good, democratic, and effective governance,” he said.

In addition to passing the amendments to the Wantimpres and cabinet size, the parliament also approved the 2025 national budget of U.S. $235 billion. 

The amount includes significant funding for Prabowo’s free lunch in schools plan, which was allocated approximately $4.7 billion. 

The budget also includes significant funding for infrastructure projects, reflecting one of Jokowi’s signature initiatives. 

One of them is the establishment of a new capital on Borneo island, a project dogged by construction delays, land acquisition obstacles and a demonstrable lack of investor interest.

‘Red carpet for Jokowi’

Some in Indonesia linked the elevation of the presidential advisory board to what analysts say is Jokowi’s attempts to exert influence on the new administration taking over next month.

Trubus, from Trisakti University, speculated that Jokowi might join or even take leadership of Wantimpres after he leaves office on Oct. 20.

“This is a red carpet for Jokowi,” Trubus told BenarNews. “He will continue to hold power and wield significant influence under Prabowo’s government.”

Since first taking office in 2014, Jokowi has been credited with steering Indonesia through a period of stable economic growth and infrastructure development. 

But he has come under fire for what critics say is a blatant attempt to cement a political dynasty in Indonesia. A sign that this was the case became apparent to many with Prabowo’s choice of Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate. 

Gibran, 36, was only able to join the race after the Constitutional Court in October amended the age requirement (40) for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. 

Gibran’s uncle, Anwar Usman, was chair of the Constitutional Court at the time of the October ruling. And the ruling was announced just days before the Jokowi scion was named as Prabowo’s vice-presidential candidate.

Nazarudin Latif in Jakarta contributed to this report.