SHAH ALAM - Former Olympic and world badminton champion Taufik Hidayat has been appointed as Indonesia's Deputy Youth and Sports Minister under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto.
This was confirmed by Prawbowo to Indonesia's news agency Kompas.com.
"Taufik Hidayat will be the Youth and Sports Deputy Minister," he was reported as saying.
It was reported that Taufik, 43, will serve alongside full minister Dito Ariotedjo.
In 1999, Taufik won his first Indonesian Open title.
He also reached the final of the All England and the Singapore Open but lost the finals to his great rival, Peter Gade and his senior in the national team Heryanto Arbi respectively, the same year.
In 2000, at just 19 years old, Taufik, achieved the world number ranking for winning the Malaysia Open, Asian Championships and Indonesia Open.
His achievements as a sports icon also included leading Indonesia to two Thomas Cup victories and winning gold medals at the Asian Games three times.
His crowning glory came when he won Olympic gold at the 2004 Athens Games, followed by a world title in the United States in 2005.
He retired in 2013.
Meanwhile, former Indonesian band Nidji frontman Giring Ganesha, 41, was appointed as the Deputy Culture Deputy Minister.
He will serve under Fadli Zon, who has taken on the role of Culture Minister.
Prabowo made the announcement during the official unveiling of the Red and White Cabinet at Istana Merdeka.
Before venturing into politics, Giring had a highly successful career in music with Nidji, which was established in 2002.
Known for hit songs such as "Arti Sahaba", "Jangan Lupakan" and "Laskar Pelangi", Giring became a household name in Indonesia's entertainment scene.
"I still miss making music, even though I have decided to leave singing to focus on politics," Giring was reported as saying.