Prabowo Only Just Realizes Many of His Ministers Are PAN Cadres: Quite a Strategic Move...

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com- President Prabowo Subianto admitted he only recently realized that several of his ministers in the Merah Putih Cabinet are members or cadres of the Partai Amanat Nasional (PAN) during the party's 28th anniversary celebration at the Jakarta Convention Center on Friday (18/9/2026).

While delivering a speech about the government's performance and praising his ministers, Prabowo pointed out that many of the ministers present were wearing blue shirts, the signature color of PAN.

"Thank you, my brothers and sisters, my ministers are outstanding. I was surprised to see so many wearing blue shirts tonight. Let me put on my glasses first," Prabowo said on Friday night.

He then looked toward the ministers' seats and realized that some of them were PAN cadres whom he had only just recognized.

"Hey, so you’re PAN after all? Hanif, wow Nif, wow there are many PAN members here, nice moves," Prabowo remarked.

The Gerindra Party chairman continued his speech by once again highlighting the achievements of his government, which is approaching its second anniversary.

Among other things, he claimed his administration made history by lowering fertilizer prices while increasing its quantity.

Prabowo also stated that many state-owned enterprises (BUMN) have seen their profits grow.

"So, my friends, thank you, my ministers are excellent. What we have achieved in less than two years is truly remarkable—125 policies enacted," Prabowo said.

Kompas.com notes that there are at least nine officials in the Merah Putih Cabinet who are PAN cadres: Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan; Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Hanif Faisol Nurofiq; Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono;

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi; Minister of Trade Budi Santoso; Deputy Minister of Village and PDT Yandri Susanto; Deputy Minister of Transmigration Viva Yoga Mauladi; Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya; and Presidential Special Envoy for Tourism Zita Anjani.

Some of them joined PAN late in 2024 after already holding ministerial posts, including Hanif, Dudy, and Budi.