Indonesia’s cabinet reshuffle: how low can it go?

This handout photo received and taken on 19 October 2011 by the presidential office shows Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) swearing in his new cabinet ministers at the State Palace in Jakarta after he reshuffled his cabinet. (Photo: AAP)

Authors: Maria Monica Wihardja and Josef Kristiadi, CSIS, Jakarta

The Indonesian cabinet reshuffle of 18 October has ended in an anti-climax.

The Indonesian people — and even their ministers — were hoping for a more effective cabinet to support Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration: they were instead left shocked and clueless about the criteria on which he based his decisions. Read more…