Indonesia’s Jokowi keeps finance minister with rock star appeal, Sri Mulyani, in new cabinet

After meeting Widodo, Sri Mulyani – a no-nonsense yet charismatic former World Bank managing director – said she had agreed to stay on and ensure policies supported the president’s priorities

She was Indonesia’s finance minister from 2005 to 2010 under president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono before resigning amid a quarrel with fellow minister and close presidential aide Aburizal Bakrie

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Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Indonesia's finance minister. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 2:54pm, 22 Oct 2019Updated: 5:51pm, 6 Dec 2019

Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Tuesday she had been asked by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to stay on in her post as his new cabinet takes shape for a second five-year term in office.

Widodo has tapped more than a dozen candidates for ministerial posts since Monday, including his presidential election rival Prabowo Subianto, who looks set to be defence minister.

The candidates – all wearing white shirts – have come to the presidential palace to be interviewed by Widodo, with most declining to confirm the positions offered ahead of an official announcement expected on Wednesday.

After meeting Widodo, Sri Mulyani said she had agreed to stay on as finance minister and to ensure policies supported the president’s priorities such as improving human resources, creating jobs and executing government budgets well.

Former general and head of the Gerindra Party Prabowo Subianto, left, walks with his deputy Edhy Prabowo as they arrive at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Photo: Reuters

“Indonesia I think is facing a very dynamic and uncertain global economy and an economic slowdown that is pressuring the whole world,” she said.

“Therefore, a continued policy is needed in order to be able to guard our economy from the challenge of this global slowdown,” she said, noting she also discussed ways to narrow Indonesia’s current account and trade deficits.