Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has appointed Arrmanatha Nasir as the country’s new foreign minister, marking his second significant Cabinet reshuffle in less than three weeks. Nasir, a seasoned diplomat and former permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, replaces Sugiono, who has been reassigned as Human Development minister.

The change was announced yesterday, with Nasir’s promotion expected to bring a new direction to the foreign ministry after a period of limited visibility. Nasir previously served as Sugiono’s deputy, and his elevation suggests a move toward a more traditional diplomatic approach in managing Indonesia's foreign relations.

This reshuffle follows Prabowo’s dismissal of Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa on September 14. Sadewa was replaced by his deputy Suahasil Nazara, a decision welcomed by investors amid concerns over policy uncertainty in one of the world’s largest emerging markets and a member of the G20.

Observers note that during Sugiono’s tenure, the foreign ministry had played a diminished role as President Prabowo increasingly dominated the country’s foreign policy decisions. Unlike Nasir, Sugiono was not a career diplomat but rather a trusted confidant from Prabowo’s Gerindra party. State news agency Antara described Sugiono as an “ideological child” of Prabowo and one of his closest aides, albeit with a low public profile.

The Cabinet changes signal Prabowo’s intent to strengthen key institutions by placing experienced professionals in pivotal roles, potentially improving efficiency and signaling stability to both domestic and international stakeholders. The appointment of Nasir, with his diplomatic background, may indicate a recalibration of Indonesia’s foreign policy amid a complex global environment.