Indonesia's Prabowo Names Career Diplomat Arrmanatha Nasir as Foreign Minister in Second Top Reshuffle in Three Weeks
JAKARTA — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reshuffled his cabinet on October 1, naming career diplomat Arrmanatha Nasir as foreign minister. It was Prabowo's second change to a top cabinet post in less than three weeks, and it has drawn attention to shifting dynamics within the administration as the president approaches his second anniversary in office.
Nasir had been deputy foreign minister and previously served as Indonesia's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. The outgoing minister, Sugiono, was appointed minister for human development. Sugiono was not a career diplomat and came from Prabowo's Gerindra party; state news agency Antara had described him as one of the president's most trusted aides. Analysts have said the foreign ministry was sidelined under Sugiono as Prabowo played a more dominant personal role in foreign policy, and Nasir's appointment is expected to mark a shake-up at the ministry.
The move follows the September 14 sacking of finance minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who was replaced by his deputy, veteran technocrat Suahasil Nazara — a change investors welcomed as a step toward restoring confidence in the $1.5 trillion G20 economy after months of uncertain policymaking. The finance ministry has since moved on measures including e-commerce tax collection from sellers and a planned first adjustment of the tax-free income threshold since 2016.
During Sugiono's tenure, Indonesia joined the BRICS grouping of major emerging economies, decided to join U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative for Gaza, and pledged troops to a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza. How Nasir balances continuity on those initiatives with a more professionalised foreign ministry will be a key question for Jakarta in the months ahead.
Sources: Compiled from Reuters reporting on October 1, 2026, and coverage by Indonesia's state news agency Antara.
Source: 路透社、安塔拉通讯社
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 雅加达的印尼外交部大楼（班查希拉大楼），Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia 供图，公共领域（Wikimedia Commons）
