INDOPOSCO.ID – Speculation over a reshuffle of the Merah Putih Cabinet has once again drawn public attention. Amid mounting rumors about potential ministerial changes, political communication analyst Hendri Satrio emphasized that the decision rests entirely with President Prabowo Subianto.
The analyst, widely known as Hensa, said the president holds full authority to determine who remains in or exits the cabinet. Nevertheless, he noted that public curiosity over the timing of a reshuffle is understandable.
“In government, the president understands and has full authority to decide who enters and leaves the cabinet. Even so, it is natural for the public to want to know when a reshuffle will take place,” Hensa said in a statement on Sunday (April 19, 2026).
The founder of the KedaiKOPI Survey Institute outlined three main factors that typically guide a president in evaluating cabinet members.
“In my view, there are three factors that determine a reshuffle: subjectivity—whether the president likes or dislikes someone; objectivity related to performance; and most importantly, political considerations, particularly whether a minister disrupts cabinet cohesion,” he said.
Hensa explained that subjective factors often relate to personal chemistry between the president and ministers. Objective considerations, meanwhile, include work achievements, program targets, and policy effectiveness. Above all, however, political stability within the cabinet remains the most crucial factor.
Beyond the reshuffle issue, Hensa also stressed the importance of meritocracy in governance. He argued that public positions should be filled by individuals with genuine expertise to ensure a professional bureaucracy.
“For officials, this is important—if you are not capable in a certain field, do not take the position. Be a merit-based official,” he said.
According to Hensa, some officials still accept strategic roles without adequate qualifications, a situation he warned could ultimately harm the public.
“For example, take Nadiem Makarim if someone cannot serve effectively as education minister, they should not take the role. The same applies to other positions; if someone is not capable, they should not accept it. Ultimately, it is the people who suffer,” he added.
He concluded by emphasizing that everyone has their own capacity and role, and placing the right individuals in the right positions is key to effective governance.
“Everyone has their own role I have mine as well so those roles must be respected,” he said. (her)
