JAKARTA – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is seeking a new vice-president following Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s resignation on Nov 12 and three names stand out.
Two are from his own party, Gerindra: Sugiono and Ahmad Muzani. The third is House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani of the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
Each reflects a different priority – loyalty, political networks or stability – and the pick could reshape the balance of Prabowo’s coalition and his plans for the 2029 presidential election.
Two of Prabowo’s most trusted aides have narrowed the proposed candidates to two, sources following the discussions told The Straits Times on condition of anonymity.
One aide favours Muzani, who is Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and was Gerindra’s secretary-general for 17 years until 2025. Another close aide backs Sugiono, Gerindra’s current secretary-general and Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, who served as foreign minister until Oct 1.
“Muzani’s strengths lie in his charisma and his strong network among MPs and other politicians,” a senior Gerindra official, one of the two sources, told ST by phone on Nov 13.
Sugiono is the loyalty pick, said the other source, a senior government official.
