Prabowo Subianto Announces Cabinet On Sunday, Different From Jokowi's Tradition

Prabowo Subianto, officially announced the composition of his cabinet on Sunday, October 20, 2024. (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA The new President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, officially announced the composition of his cabinet on Sunday, October 20, 2024. The announcement at night was made to coincide with Monday night Legi according to the Java calendar, in contrast to the previous Presidential tradition, Joko Widodo, who often chose certain days such as Wednesday Pon or Wednesday Legi to announce the cabinet or carry out a ministerial reshuffle.

The announcement of the cabinet on Sunday attracted public attention because it contradicts Jokowi's habits, although both of them have strong Javanese cultural backgrounds. Interestingly, both Prabowo and Jokowi were born on Wednesday Pon, a day that is considered special in calculating the Java calendar.

Jokowi was born on June 21, 1965, while Prabowo was born on October 17, 1952. However, Prabowo chose a different day from Jokowi in starting the new government with the announcement of his cabinet.

Jokowi during his two leadership periods often made cabinet announcements or ministerial reshuffles on Wednesday, which is believed to bring him good luck based on the Java calendar calculations. For example, in the announcement of his first cabinet in 2014 and various reshuffles, Jokowi often chose Wednesday Pon or Wednesday Legi.

Prabowo's move to announce the cabinet on Sunday, which coincided with Monday Legi in the Javanese calendar, may reflect a different approach, although it remains influenced by Javanese culture. This indicates that although the cultural backgrounds of the two are the same, the political approaches and symbolism of the chosen day can be different.

The cabinet announcement was enthusiastically welcomed by people who were looking forward to new faces and the policies that Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka would bring in the next five years