President Prabowo Subianto on Monday appointed Budi Gunawan as the new chief of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) and swore in a 26‑member Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres), expanding the president’s inner circle of advisers. The appointments were announced at the presidential palace in Jakarta, where the president also named former education minister Pratikno as chairman of the advisory council and former deputy finance minister Hatta Rajasa as one of its senior members.
New intelligence chief amid political backlash
According to detikNews, the swearing‑in ceremony for Budi Gunawan, a former head of the National Police, was attended by senior officials and members of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), which issued a brief statement saying “Selamat Bekerja” (congratulations on the work). Opposition parties, however, criticized the choice, arguing that the appointment consolidates power within Prabowo’s inner circle and raises concerns about the agency’s independence.
“President Prabowo appointed Budi Gunawan as the new head of the State Intelligence Agency,” the ceremony’s official release read.
Presidential Advisory Council composition
ANTARA News reported that the council’s roster includes a diverse group of public figures: Sinta, Quraish Shihab, a renowned Islamic scholar, and the outspoken academic Rocky Gerung. The council also features Supreme Court Justice Anwar Usman and other senior politicians.
Tempo.co confirmed that Pratikno, who previously served as Minister of Education and Culture, was named chairman of the council, while Hatta Rajasa was highlighted as a key adviser. The same outlet noted that Pratikno visited the palace on the same day to formally receive his appointment.
ANTARA further noted that a total of 26 members were sworn in, a figure echoed by multiple Indonesian outlets including Kompas.id, which provided a detailed list of members ranging from former judges to civil society leaders.
Political implications
The dual appointments signal President Prabowo’s effort to cement a broad advisory network ahead of the next legislative session. Supporters argue that bringing together experts from law, religion and academia will strengthen policy formulation. Critics, however, contend that the inclusion of figures such as Rocky Gerung—known for his critical stance toward the establishment—may be a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive shift in governance.
Political analysts quoted by Kompas.id suggest that the new intelligence chief’s close ties to the security establishment could influence Indonesia’s approach to domestic dissent and regional security challenges. Meanwhile, the advisory council’s mixed composition may reflect Prabowo’s attempt to balance the interests of his coalition partners with those of civil society.
Overall, the appointments underscore a pivotal moment for Indonesia’s political landscape, as the president seeks to solidify his administration’s authority while navigating criticism from opposition parties and civil‑rights groups.
