Indonesian VP's cabinet seating sparks clarification

The seating arrangement at President Prabowo Subianto's cabinet meetings is designed to enhance the effectiveness of his directives, not to reflect the standing of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, according to the Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom RI), Muhammad Qodari.

Qodari clarified that the format adopted for the plenary cabinet sessions is akin to a presidential briefing. This setup ensures that all participants can clearly see the President and allows for direct eye contact during the delivery of instructions. "The seating position at the Plenary Cabinet Session follows the format of the President's briefing to all members of the cabinet session, not a meeting format that places the President and Vice President side by side," Qodari stated.

He emphasized that this arrangement is purely functional and does not alter the Vice President's constitutional role or authority. In this specific format, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attends as a participant alongside other cabinet members. The explanation aims to preempt any speculation about the seating arrangement reflecting hierarchical differences or constitutional implications.

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The seating position at the Plenary Cabinet Session follows the format of the President's briefing to all members of the cabinet session, not a meeting format that places the President and Vice President side by side.