Theme: 100 Days of Prabowo Administration: The Leadership and Governance Challenges

Speaker: Sudirman Said
Moderator: Wahyu Prasetyawan (Visiting Scholar at CSEAS)
Discussant: Okamoto Masaaki (CSEAS)

Abstract:
It is too early to judge the performance of a government within its first 100 days, but early signs can signal its potential effectiveness in delivering on campaign promises. President Prabowo Subianto’s administration enters with significant opportunities, especially in strengthening governance frameworks. However, challenges such as poor planning, disjointed execution, fragmented institutions, and misaligned priorities across ministries could hinder progress on ambitious goals.

Promises like eradicating corruption, building three million homes annually, improving education, advancing the new capital (IKN), expanding infrastructure, and providing nutritious meals for 80 million citizens should not be rhetoric but actionable and well-executed policies.

Institutional restructuring and inter-ministerial coordination will be challenging with a large cabinet and competing factions. The critical question remains: “Can President Prabowo unite leadership, ensure effective management, and uphold good governance principles while addressing these complex challenges?”

Curriculum Vitae:
Sudirman Said is an activist and professional in organizational change and leadership development. He served as Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (2014-2016) and as President Director of PT Pindad, a national defense industry. He led Pertamina’s supply chain efficiency initiatives and stakeholder engagement improvements. Following the 2004 Aceh-Nias tsunami, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (BRR Aceh-Nias).

As an activist, Sudirman contributed to establishing the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), military business reforms, and the Indonesian Institute of Accountants’ organizational changes. He is also an educator, teaching at universities and writing for national media. His political involvement has expanded his networks in the public, corporate, and social sectors.

Sudirman holds an accounting degree from STAN Jakarta, a Master’s in Business and Management from George Washington University, and is completing his doctoral studies at ITB Bandung.