Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, Appointed as Deputy Ministers

Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Kartika Wirjoatmodjo deliver their statements during a joint press conference, at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday (25/10). (Photo by: JAY/PR)

Newly appointed Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, and Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) shared some insights after the meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday (25/10).

Budi Gunadi Sadikin (former president director of state-owned mining holding company Mining Industry Indonesia [MIND ID]) and Kartika Wirjoatmodjo (former president director of state-owned lender Bank Mandiri) have been appointed as Deputy Ministers of State-Owned Enterprises.

“I and Pak Tiko (read: Kartika) were asked by the President to help Pak Erick (Minister of State-Owned Enterprise) to establish programs that can invite people to do their best.  (We are asked) to pay attention to people in the regions,” Budi said.

Meanwhile, Kartika stated that the President wanted Indonesian SOEs to be competitive, to become large global players, to collaborate with private sectors, to build a solid economy, to expand globally, and to build competitiveness in Indonesia.

In the meantime, Deputy Secretary-General of the Perindo Party Angela Tanoesoedibjo was appointed as the deputy minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

“Certainly, there will certainly be a lot of discussion with Pak Wishnutama (Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy) and we will follow up the President’s directive to build 10 tourist destinations and 5 (destinations) that will be our top priority,” Angela told reporters.

Despite being the youngest cabinet member, the 32 years old deputy minister stated that she has experience in the media and other fields, such as retail business and finance. She also expressed hope that the experience can help her work creatively, quickly and efficiently with a big impact.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) politician Surya Tjandra has been appointed as deputy minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN).

“The Government is eager to, as soon as possible, solve various problems related to overlapping (ownership of land) and agrarian conflicts, to assist people who live in the forests, to tackle overlapping authority, and others” Surya told the press. (MAY/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : M. Ersan Pamungkas