Foreign Media Spotlight Prabowo Cabinet Reshuffle, Foreign Minister Draws Attention
JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto’s reshuffle of the Red and White Cabinet on Thursday (October 1, 2026) has drawn attention from several international media outlets. One of the changes receiving particular attention is the replacement of Foreign Minister Sugiono by career diplomat Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir.
Arrmanatha, widely known as Tata, previously served as Deputy Foreign Minister. He has also served as Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York.
Reuters highlighted Arrmanatha’s appointment as one of the significant changes in Prabowo’s cabinet. The media outlet noted that the appointment of a career diplomat could potentially influence the direction and management of Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) also identified the change in foreign minister as one of the key points of the reshuffle. The outlet quoted foreign policy analyst Dewi Fortuna Anwar, who described Arrmanatha as an experienced diplomat expected to take a more assertive role.
The change moves Sugiono from his position as Foreign Minister to Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Menko PMK), replacing Pratikno.
Beyond the foreign minister position, several other strategic posts were also reshuffled. President Prabowo appointed Dudung Abdurachman as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Bahlil Lahadalia as Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition, and Muhammad Sarmuji as Minister of Industry.
Changes also took place within the Indonesian National Police. Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto was appointed National Police Chief, replacing General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. Listyo was subsequently appointed Head of the Presidential Staff Office, replacing Dudung Abdurachman.
Reuters noted that the reshuffle came less than three weeks after Prabowo replaced Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa with Suahasil Nazara on September 14, 2026.
The latest reshuffle therefore covers a number of strategic areas, including diplomacy, the economy, security, industry, and downstreaming. Arrmanatha’s appointment as Foreign Minister has emerged as one of the changes receiving particular attention from international media.
