Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto on Friday inaugurated a 26-member Presidential Advisory Council comprising former senior government officials, business leaders, religious figures and prominent public intellectuals, including some who have previously supported or criticized him.
Former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno was appointed chairman of the council, known as Wantimpres, with veteran politician Hatta Rajasa serving as vice chairman.
Hatta has a long political history with Prabowo, having served as his running mate in the 2014 presidential election.
Muhammad Qodari, the former head of the Government Communication Agency, was separately appointed secretary of the council.
Other prominent figures appointed to the advisory body include former Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan, former Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, and former People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Bambang Soesatyo.
The council also brings together several prominent business figures, including Chairul Tanjung, toll-road businessman Jusuf Hamka, Dato' Sri Tahir and Jusuf Wanandi.
Leading Muslim figures Said Aqil Siradj and Yahya Cholil Staquf were also appointed.
Another notable addition is political commentator and activist Rocky Gerung, a former supporter of Prabowo who in recent years has frequently criticized his leadership and government policies.
The appointments were made under Presidential Decree No. 107/P/2026 on the membership of the Presidential Advisory Council.
The council is tasked with providing advice and recommendations to the president in carrying out his constitutional duties.
Friday's appointments came a day after Prabowo carried out a major Cabinet reshuffle that changed the leadership of several key ministries and government institutions.
Among the changes, Prabowo appointed Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir as foreign minister, Dudung Abdurachman as coordinating minister for political and security affairs, and Sugiono as coordinating minister for human development and culture.