Sri Mulyani (53), left her position as World Banks managing director, to become new Indonesian finance minister, a portfolio she once held under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono before she took the post at the World Bank.
She replaced Bambang Brodjonegoro, who was given a new job as Minister for National Development Planning and head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) in a cabinet reshuffle by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Wedenesday .
President Joko Widodo reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday bringing nine new faces to the cabinet including Sri Mulyani.
"This is the right choice. She was once a finance minister and has done successful job abroad, Novanto said of Sri Mulyani at the presidential palace after the official installation of the new ministers.
He said Sri Mulyani is expected to accelerate implementation of programs of the finance ministry including tax amnesty program on which the government has high hopes for the revival of the countrys economy amid the global slump.
Novanto said he was confident Sri Mulyani could cooperate with the House of Representatives .
A row with the House including Golkar faction, was believed to be one of the reasons of Sri Mulyani for not continuing her job six years earlier as finance minister under President Yudhoyono and accepted an offer for a high position from the World Bank.
Director of Institute for Development of Economic and Finance (Indef) Enny Sri Hartati said the appointment of Sri Mulyani as new finance minister has strengthened the market confidence.
"No one doubts the capability and the track record of Sri Mulyani. Market has high confidence in Sri Mulyani," Enny said.
Sri Mulyani is a big asset in the cabinet of President Joko Widodo and a powerful driver for fiscal consolidation, she said.
"Sri Mulyani is the right person for fiscal consolidation and to maintain market confidence," she added.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
