Prabowo Appoints Ex-Minister Terawan as National Health Advisor

Jayanty Nada Shofa
October 22, 2024 | 12:10 pm
SHARE
Presidential special advisor on national health Terawan Agus Putranto (center) converses at the State Palace in Jakarta shortly before his inauguration on Oct. 22, 2024. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)
Presidential special advisor on national health Terawan Agus Putranto (center) converses at the State Palace in Jakarta shortly before his inauguration on Oct. 22, 2024. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)

Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto has picked former health minister and army doctor Terawan Agus Putranto as his special advisor on national health.

Terawan took his oath of office alongside Prabowo's other advisors at the palace in Jakarta on Tuesday morning. The 60-year-old doctor has quite a controversial past and a short-lived ministerial career.

Then-President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo appointed Terawan as his health minister during his second term in 2019. However, Terawan was replaced in a cabinet reshuffle in Dec. 2020 following criticisms of his failure to keep the Covid-19 pandemic under control.

Terawan at the time even likened Covid-19 infections to a common flu. Seasoned banker Budi Gunadi Sadikin took over Terawan’s job as the health minister. Budi also keeps his ministerial post under Prabowo’s Red and White Cabinet. 

Advertisement

Terawan caught attention for his so-called “brain flushing” therapy which he claimed could cure stroke patients. In 2022, the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) kicked Terawan out for providing this controversial therapy without the group’s consent when he chaired the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Jakarta.

This was not the first time for Prabowo to give people with military backgrounds strategic positions under his government. As a case in point, Prabowo has just given fellow retired army general Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan two jobs: the national economic council head and the president’s advisor on government technology.

Prabowo also appointed Major General (ret.) Lodewyk Pusung as the deputy chair for the National Nutrition Agency. This agency will play a huge role under the current government as Prabowo aims to feed all Indonesian school children free lunches.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News Jun 16, 2025 | 5:37 pm

Prabowo to Miss G7 Summit Due to Prior Engagement with Putin in Russia, Palace Says

Indonesia isn't a G7 member, but the president has been invited to the summit as a guest by the host government.
News Jun 16, 2025 | 1:29 pm

Green Economy Takes Center Stage at Prabowo’s Talks with Singapore PM

Prabowo is on his first-ever state visit to close neighbor Singapore.
News Jun 13, 2025 | 9:33 am

Indonesia Says No Final Contract Yet on 48 Turkish-Made KAAN Jet Purchase

Now that the MoU is signed, both sides will engage in a series of negotiations to finalize the details of the KAAN jet contract.
News Jun 12, 2025 | 2:27 pm

Prabowo Hikes Judges’ Pay Amid Bribery Scandal Rocking Supreme Court

Prabowo raises judges’ salaries by up to 280% as a Rp 1 trillion bribery scandal hits the Supreme Court, vowing to clean up the judiciary.
Business Jun 11, 2025 | 7:02 pm

No Indonesian Will Live in Poverty By 2045, Prabowo Says

Indonesia will celebrate its centennial in 2045, and Prabowo doesn't want anyone in the country to live in poverty by then.
News Jun 11, 2025 | 2:22 pm

'Better Die than Get Colonized Again': Prabowo Says as Indonesia Steps Up Arms Investment

Prabowo says Indonesia had lost a golden opportunity to grow its economy when it was under Dutch colonial rule for hundreds of years.
Lifestyle Jun 7, 2025 | 5:02 pm

Prabowo Gifts Rolex Watches to Indonesia Football Stars After China Win

President Prabowo rewarded the Indonesian national team with Rolex watches after their 1-0 win over China in the World Cup qualifiers.
News Jun 6, 2025 | 9:36 pm

Prabowo Hosts Indonesia National Team After Historic Win Over China

President Prabowo hosted the Indonesian national team after their 1-0 win over China, celebrating with lunch, songs, and shared pride.
News Jun 2, 2025 | 7:16 pm

Pancasila Day Ceremony Brings Together Gibran and Megawati After Election Rift

Prabowo, Gibran, and Megawati reunite at Pancasila Day, signaling reconciliation after months of post-election political tension.
News Jun 2, 2025 | 5:18 pm

Prabowo Alleges Foreign-Funded NGOs Aim to Divide Indonesia

President Prabowo alleges foreign-funded NGOs are attempting to divide Indonesia under the guise of promoting democracy and human rights.

The Latest


Tech 5 hours ago

Meta Brings Ads to WhatsApp

WhatsApp to show ads in its Updates tab as Meta seeks new revenue. Personal chats remain ad-free and end-to-end encrypted.
News 7 hours ago

Towering Banknotes on Display as AGO Seizes $728 Million in Palm Oil Graft

The AGO seizes $675 million from Wilmar units in CPO export graft case; judges accused of taking bribes to acquit firms
News 8 hours ago

Iran, A Country at War, Invites Prabowo for State Visit

Iranian envoy Mohammad Boroujerdi calls Prabowo as someone who is "very active in diplomacy".
News 8 hours ago

Bomb Threat Diverts Saudia Hajj Flight to Medan, No Explosives Found

A Saudia Airlines flight carrying 442 hajj pilgrims was diverted to Medan after a bomb threat; no explosives were found on board.
News 8 hours ago

Aceh Reclaims Disputed Islands Near Offshore Oil Blocks After Prabowo’s Decision

Jakarta rules in favor of Aceh in a century-old island dispute with North Sumatra near key oil and gas blocks, ending years of tension.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED