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Indonesia Replaces Finance Minister Amid Investor Confidence Concerns

Indonesia Replaces Finance Minister Amid Investor Confidence Concerns
Indonesia president appoints his third finance minister in under two years · theprint.in

Indonesia has changed its finance minister again.

President Prabowo Subianto removed Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and appointed his deputy, Suahasil Nazara.

Suahasil said he would manage the government’s budget carefully.

He also promised to keep the budget deficit below 3% of the economy.

Investors had become worried about Indonesia’s economic policies and spending plans.

Purbaya’s time in office included a falling currency and a growing deficit.

His plan to quickly add money to banks also caused disagreements with the central bank.

Credit-rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s changed Indonesia’s outlook to negative.

An analyst said Suahasil may bring steadier and more predictable policymaking.

Key facts

New finance minister
Suahasil Nazara, previously deputy finance minister since 2019
Dismissed finance minister
Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa
Fiscal target
Keep the fiscal deficit below 3% of GDP
Credit outlook
Fitch and Moody’s changed Indonesia’s outlook from stable to negative
Main policy concerns
Fiscal spending, policy uncertainty, the falling rupiah, and a widening deficit
Controversial proposal
Purbaya announced a planned 120 trillion rupiah ($6.8 billion) transfer from Danantara Indonesia, but Danantara’s head said no such plan had been discussed
Analyst assessment
Suahasil could bring more stable and predictable policymaking

Quotes

Suahasil Nazara

Indonesia’s newly appointed finance minister and former deputy finance minister.

“I will continue to run a trustworthy state budget, ensure trustworthy public communication, and also ensure that what the state budget does supports the government’s priority programmes.”
theprint.in
“The priority is to run a credible state budget”
theprint.in

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN specialist at Aletheia Capital.

“This looks like another move toward fostering greater stability given that Nazara served under Sri Mulyani and has more of a technocratic background”
theprint.in

Sources

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