Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto has intensified a series of high-level leadership changes in recent months, replacing ministers, military commanders and senior government officials amid corruption investigations, operational failures and mounting pressure over the performance of public institutions.

The latest reshuffle on Thursday included the replacement of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) chief Suharyanto with Lt. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi, as the agency faces a corruption investigation involving several officials and private-sector contractors.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named five suspects in the case, including Suharyanto's younger brother, Bima Setyawan.

The investigation concerns alleged irregularities in the management of disaster relief funds and procurement at BNPB. 

BNPB has also faced scrutiny over prolonged forest and land fires that have proven difficult to contain, with smoke pollution prompting complaints from neighboring countries.

PLN Leadership Change Follows Blackouts
The BNPB appointment came a day after Prabowo ordered a sweeping review of state electricity company PLN's business model and operations.

Within hours of the presidential directive, PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo was replaced by Suroso Isnandar.

The leadership change followed widespread power outages affecting Batam and surrounding areas, including industrial zones that host technology and manufacturing operations.

Prabowo had instructed officials to evaluate PLN's efficiency, reliability and ability to respond to electricity disruptions, while accelerating the government's energy development priorities.

Army Leadership Swap Follows Gambling Controversy
Thursday's appointments also brought a change at the top of the Indonesian Army.

Gen. Tandyo Budi Revita was appointed Army chief of staff, replacing Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak, who moved to the position of deputy commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

The appointments effectively saw the two generals exchange positions, as Tandyo had previously served as TNI deputy commander.

The leadership change followed a controversy involving an official Army residence in Jakarta that had allegedly been used by civilian tenants to operate an illegal online gambling business.

Maruli acknowledged the incident and described it as deeply embarrassing for the Army, particularly as the government has intensified its campaign against illegal gambling.

Gambling is prohibited under Indonesian law, and the authorities have increasingly targeted online gambling operations as part of a broader enforcement campaign.

Finance Ministry Change Amid Market Turmoil
One of the most significant cabinet changes came in September, when Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa was replaced by his deputy, Suahasil Nazara.

The unexpected change followed months of pressure on the rupiah and sharp declines in the stock market, which had heightened concerns over Indonesia's economic outlook and investor confidence.

Suahasil became the third finance minister to serve under Prabowo since the president took office in October 2024.

Nutrition Agency Shake-Up
An earlier and particularly dramatic leadership change occurred in early June, when Prabowo dismissed Dadan Hindayana as head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

The agency oversees the government's free nutritious meals program, one of Prabowo's flagship initiatives.

The dismissal came just a day after Prabowo and Dadan had appeared together in public to inspect activities related to the program.

A day after Dadan and his two deputies were removed, all three were named corruption suspects by the Attorney General's Office in an investigation into alleged abuse of authority at BGN.

Repeated Reshuffles Since 2025
Prabowo has carried out at least eight government reshuffles since taking office in October 2024.

One of the earliest took place on Feb. 19, 2025, when he replaced Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro with Brian Yuliarto.

Satryo's removal followed protests by hundreds of ministry employees over his management style, personnel transfers and the dismissal of a staff member.

The protests had brought internal tensions at the newly established ministry into public view.

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