Sadewa admitted that public scrutiny in the Finance Ministry is far greater than in his previous role at the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), where he could “speak more freely.”
“Here, when I misspoke, my words were misinterpreted everywhere. That’s why I apologized for my mistake yesterday,” he said at a joint press conference with his predecessor, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, on Tuesday.
The minister apologized for comments made on Monday regarding the “17+8 People’s Demands” raised during a recent protest, following public criticism that he had appeared to belittle the demands.
Sadewa stated that he would seek guidance from Indrawati in implementing sound fiscal policies and committed to doing his utmost to sustain Indonesia’s economic growth.
“So please give me time to carry out my duties. After a few months, you can judge me,” he remarked.
In his earlier statement, Sadewa had described the protest demands as originating from “a minority of people” who were disturbed and “craved more in their lives.”
He added that he would pursue strategies to achieve 7 percent economic growth so that such demands would become irrelevant, and that people would be “busy seeking employment and enjoying good food instead of protesting.”
He also reaffirmed his commitment to reaching 8 percent growth, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s target.
Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa was officially inaugurated as Finance Minister by President Prabowo at the Merdeka Palace on Monday, replacing Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
He was sworn in alongside Mukhtarudin as Minister for the Protection of Migrant Workers, Ferry Joko Juliantono as Minister of Cooperatives, and Mochamad Irfan Yusuf Hasyim and Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak as Minister and Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, respectively.
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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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