New Indonesian president urges 109-member Cabinet to work as team

ISTANBUL

Newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto began his first Cabinet meeting Friday, urging 109 members to work as a “team.”

Dressed in military combat uniform, Prabowo led his “Red and White Cabinet” members at Magelang Military Academy in Central Java.

Prabowo, 73, was inaugurated last weekend after winning February's presidential election, succeeding Joko Widodo, who completed two five-year terms on Oct. 20.

The former military general has appointed 109 ministers, deputy ministers, and agency heads, forming the largest Cabinet since 1966.

At the academy, the Cabinet will plan the Prabowo administration’s future policies and actions, including the free meals for children initiative highlighted during the campaign.

More than 4,100 combat personnel were deployed around the academy to ensure the meeting proceeded smoothly.

Leading Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Prabowo said the training at the academy “will encourage” Cabinet members “to work in sync,” according to the Jakarta Globe.

Cabinet members of the “government must not work in silos, but they should work as a team,” Prabowo said.

“The Red and White Cabinet needs to realize that they are also competing with other countries,” he added.

During the policy discussions, Prabowo is expected to emphasize anti-corruption measures throughout the three-day retreat, which concludes Sunday.

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