The Indonesia Election Result and Joko Widodo’s New Cabinet: What it means to fossil fuel subsidy reform

Key Messages

• The lineup of President Widodo’s second-term cabinet shows depth and confidence. The support of political groups that is reflected in the background of the ministers is broader than the previous term.
• In Widodo’s first term, the development of renewable energy in Indonesia was overshadowed by the expansion of coal power plants (in the electricity sector),
• Indonesia's Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) will be the tool guiding the new cabinet as it attempts to integrate the country’s economic priorities with its sustainability agenda in 2020 and beyond.

On October 23, 2019, Indonesian President Joko Widodo introduced his cabinet members to the public at the Presidential Palace. The lineup of Widodo’s second-term cabinet shows depth and confidence. The support of political groups that is reflected in the background of the ministers is broader than the previous term. The question is how this new cabinet will help the President deliver on his legacy, including attempts to reform fossil fuel subsidies and increase renewable energy usage.