Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto has officially picked the defense minister and old friend Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to lead the Political and Security Affairs Coordinating Ministry for the time being.

Sjafrie, a military man, officially replaced Budi Gunawan, who had stepped down the day before. Budi was among those affected by Prabowo’s second-ever cabinet shake-up. Prabowo has had Budi as his security affairs tsar since he rose to power last October.

“By ad interim, it means that I will only be temporarily assuming this [chief security minister] role,” Sjafrie told reporters in Jakarta on his first day in his new office on Tuesday.

Sjafrie will still be Indonesia’s defense minister, meaning that the 72-year-old will take on multiple roles. He admitted to having only received the appointment letter, saying that he had not talked to Budi since getting the new job. 

The cabinet reshuffle took place not long after riots -- centered on economic inequality and police brutality -- swept the country. Although the protests have decreased in size, some people are still taking to the streets to demand changes. Asked about his plans to cool down the unrest, Sjafrie said: “I guarantee that our country is safe.”

In response to protesters, the government will continue to communicate with the people, according to Sjafrie.

“We will increase vigilance both operationally, while also embracing dialogue with everyone, including those who might have ideas that require our response. This way, we can reach a common understanding on how we can safeguard our country's sovereignty,” Sjafrie stated.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi recently said that Prabowo had made thorough deliberations in the recent cabinet shake-up.

“The reshuffle is based on various developments, input, and consistent evaluations by the president,” he said.

Sjafrie and Prabowo go way back, as they both met at the military academy.