JAKARTA – Former Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said his replacement as Finance Minister was partly related to plans for changes within the tax and customs authorities. However, he stressed that the final decision remained the prerogative of President Prabowo Subianto.
Purbaya made the remarks after the handover ceremony with Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 15.
Asked whether his dismissal was related to plans to reshuffle tax and customs personnel, Purbaya replied, “Partly, yes.”
When asked about other factors, he declined to elaborate.
“That is the President’s prerogative. We just follow it,” Purbaya said.
He also denied that the change was related to policies he had implemented during his tenure as finance minister.
“No. Those are policies. We follow all of the President’s policies. Everything is fine,” he said.
Purbaya said he only received confirmation of his replacement the previous day after receiving a phone call from State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi.
According to Purbaya, there had previously been an assessment that his chances of remaining in office or being replaced were roughly 50:50.
“We had already calculated it would be fifty-fifty, but I only found out for sure at that time,” he said.
Purbaya said he had spoken with President Prabowo before the president’s departure for India the previous Friday. However, he said the discussion concerned other matters.
He also denied that there had been friction with officials at the Ministry of Finance.
“No, there wasn’t. Clearly, it is the President’s prerogative, and he has made his decision. So, that’s it,” he said.
Purbaya said that one year at the helm of the Ministry of Finance was sufficient for him. He also said he had no specific message for Suahasil.
“No message. He is already very capable. Just carry on according to his expertise,” he said.
Daffa Ibrahim/Ilah
