Deputy House Speaker Pramono Anung who led the House`s plenary meeting here on Tuesday, expressed hope the new governor of Indonesia`s central bank will conduct his duties well in the future.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) have approved Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo as new Bank Indonesia governor for the period of 2013-2018 replacing Darmin Nasution who will retire next May.

Deputy House Speaker Pramono Anung who led the House`s plenary meeting here on Tuesday, expressed hope the new governor of Indonesia`s central bank will conduct his duties well in the future.

Earlier members of parliament from Commission XI responsible for banking affairs stated the new Bank of Indonesia Governor must give priority to 14 issues namely inflation control, stability of Rupiah exchange, development of syaria banking, alignment to real sectors and create an efficient payment system.

Before taking the position as Bank of Indonesia Governor, Agus Martowardojo has filled various positions in banking sector namely as Chief of National Banks Association (Perbanas) and Chief of Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara).

Last May 2010 he was appointed as finance minister, replacing Sri Mulyani Indrawati who took the job as Managing Director of World Bank.

According to Sigit Pramono, the general chairman of the Indonesian Banks Association (Perbanas), the new BI governor have three big challenges that he will have to face.

The first challenge is linked to BI`s task following the establishment of the new Financial Service Authorities (OJK) which will certainly.

"With the presence of the OJK, BI will focus on dealing with macro-prudential problems and will no longer regulate and monitor banks," he added.

The second challenge is, he said, the BI governor along with the finance minister, the OJK chief and the head of the Deposit Insurance Agency (LPS), would be responsible for maintaining the stability of the financial system through the Financial System Stability Forum (FKSSK).

"The task is held during normal situation and financial crisis. The task of the BI governor has been confirmed in the OJK law," he added.

Pramono said the third challenge would be securing the transition process of Bank Indonesia`s tasks to OJK.

Therefore, Perbanas hopes, he said, that Agus Martowardojo`s election as the new central bank governor would bring a positive stimulus to national economy and increase central bank`s understanding of the national banking industry.

"With the positive stimulus investment atmosphere is expected to be brighter and as Agus hails from banking industry he is expected to be able to improve Bank Indonesia understands of the industry," Sigit Pramono said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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