Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has appointed career diplomat Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir as the country’s new foreign minister, replacing Sugiono in a Cabinet reshuffle that moved several senior officials into new positions.
Nasir was formally sworn in at the State Palace in Jakarta on Oct. 1 after being appointed under a presidential decree issued the previous day. He takes over the Foreign Ministry after serving as one of Sugiono’s deputy foreign ministers.
The new foreign minister brings extensive diplomatic experience to the post. He previously served as Indonesia’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York and has represented the country in a number of international diplomatic forums.
Known as Tata, Nasir joined Prabowo’s administration as one of three deputy foreign ministers in October 2024. His appointment now places a career diplomat at the head of Indonesia’s foreign policy apparatus as the government continues to pursue an active international agenda.
Nasir said after his inauguration that he would continue the foreign-policy programmes established under his predecessor. He also highlighted Indonesia’s pursuit of a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2029–2030 term.
He said the candidacy reflects Indonesia’s continued emphasis on multilateral engagement and participation in efforts to address international issues.
Sugiono, meanwhile, has been moved to the position of coordinating minister for human development and cultural affairs. He had served as foreign minister for nearly two years and was also secretary-general of Prabowo’s Gerindra Party.
Before leaving the Foreign Ministry, Sugiono most recently headed Indonesia’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, representing Prabowo.
The change in the Foreign Ministry is part of a broader Cabinet reshuffle involving 10 ministerial and deputy ministerial appointments, along with changes affecting eight other senior government and agency positions.
Among the other changes, Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman was appointed coordinating minister for political and security affairs, while Bahlil Lahadalia was named coordinating minister for downstreaming and energy transition while retaining his role as energy and mineral resources minister.
The reshuffle also included a change in Indonesia’s police leadership. Suyudi Ario Seto, previously head of the National Narcotics Agency, was appointed chief of the Indonesian National Police, replacing Listyo Sigit Prabowo. Listyo was subsequently appointed head of the Executive Office of the President.
Muhammad Sarmuji was also appointed industry minister, replacing Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. Other appointments affected the finance, agriculture, marine affairs and fisheries portfolios, as well as several coordinating positions.
Nasir takes charge of Indonesia’s foreign policy as the country continues to engage in major regional and global issues, including its diplomatic activities through the United Nations and its position on international conflicts.
His appointment also comes as Indonesia maintains its longstanding policy of an independent and active foreign policy. Following his inauguration, Nasir said the Foreign Ministry would continue implementing policies established under existing laws and national priorities.
The appointment represents a shift from a politically connected figure to a diplomat with a long career in international affairs, while Sugiono moves into a coordinating role within the Cabinet. The full impact of the change will depend on how the new leadership carries forward Indonesia’s diplomatic priorities in the months ahead.
