JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s incoming leader Prabowo Subianto was briefing his would-be ministers on Wednesday on economy and geopolitical issues ahead of his Sunday inauguration, his spokesperson said, as his cabinet assessments continue.
Prabowo this week summoned dozens of people who said they had been asked to join the next government, including current finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. His cabinet has not been officially unveiled.
Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Prabowo’s spokesperson, said on news channel Kompas TV that the briefing was intended for “the ministers to build a mutual understanding with Prabowo.”
Dahnil said the topics of the briefing revolved around anti-corruption measures and the economy.
Prabowo’s agenda includes accelerating economic growth to 8% from the current 5% while ending poverty and malnutrition in the nation of 275 million people. He is also pushing a multi-billion-dollar programme giving free meals to 20 million students.
“Prabowo wants to ensure there is awareness from all ministers, from all his subordinates…to reach the 8% economic growth,” Dahnil said.
Dahnil also said the briefing would touch on geopolitical issues, without providing details.
Prabowo has said that he will keep his foreign policy non-aligned to any major power, be it China or the United States.
Local media reported several ministers arrived for the briefing at Prabowo’s residence in the south of the capital Jakarta, including Sri Mulyani and current chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto.
Prabowo, an ex-general who won the presidential election in a landslide in February, will be sworn in on Sunday. His vice president is Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of outgoing President Joko Widodo.
(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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