Muhammad Lutfi Becomes Minister Of Trade To Replace Gita Wirjawan In Today's Memory, February 12, 2014

JAKARTA Memories of today, 11 years ago, February 12, 2014, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) appointed Muhammad Lutfi to be the new Minister of Trade (Mendag). SBY hopes that Lutfi can continue the Ministry of Trade's agenda after Gita Wiryawan left.

Previously, Gita was considered to have filled the position of Trade Minister. His leadership was widely praised. Gita also tried to move up to the next level. He plans to participate in the presidential candidate convention from the Democratic Party. This opportunity made Gita resign from the position of Trade Minister.

Gita's work as an entrepreneur is quite flashy. He is considered observant in seeing opportunities. Take for example when he acquired many companies. All kinds of companies he holds are able to bring abundant profits.

This success made SBY attracted. The government immediately offered Gita the opportunity to serve the country. Gita is offered the position as Head of the Investment and Coordinating Board (BKPM) at the end of 2009.

Gita was able to attract many investors from abroad to invest in Indonesia. Later, SBY tried to give more responsibility as Minister of Trade in 2011. This opportunity was not wasted by Gita.

Gita tries to answer the trust of the SBY government with various breakthroughs. Gita is considered by President of SBY to have succeeded in increasing national economic growth. He also helped advance the Indonesian trade sector.

This achievement made him one of the ministers who excelled. This narrative did not make Gita complacent. He also began to look at new challenges. He felt he had charisma and a high passion for advancing Indonesia.

This desire resulted in a desire to advance in the Democratic Party presidential candidate convention. Gita's participation made him take bold action. He chose to resign as Trade Minister on January 31, 2014.

The resignation was carried out so that he could focus on participating in the convention. He also did not want there to be a conflict of interest if he won the convention and advanced to become a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party in the 2014 presidential election.

I resign from my position as Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia. (However) It was only effective on February 1, 2014, considering how important the Democratic Party Convention is to the interests of the nation.

"This resignation is based on or by ethical awareness of the magnitude of the conflict of interest, if I am fully involved in the political process during the convention, while at the same time I continue to carry out the duties and beliefs given to me as the Minister of Trade. I hope that this step I take is the best step for Indonesia and can be a precedent in political development and democracy in Indonesia," Gita said as quoted by VOA, January 31, 2014.

Gita's decision to resign made the Trade Minister's seat empty. This condition made President SBY busy looking for a replacement for Gita. Various names were rumored to be a candidate to replace Gita as the Trade Minister.

As a result, SBY finally made a choice for Muhammad Lutfi as the new Minister of Trade on February 12, 2014. Lutfi will later officially serve as Minister of Trade on February 14, 2014. Lutfi's election was carried out because his work was not much different from Gita's. Lutfi has eaten salt acid in the business world. Business entrepreneurs are also successful.

Lutfi was also the Head of BKPM from the 2005-2009 era. This career history made SBY believe Lutfi could continue the entire Ministry of Trade program until October 2014. Or until the end of SBY served as President of Indonesia.

"I view Muhammad Lutfi's brother as capable and able to replace Gita Wirjawan as a mendag," said SBY as quoted on the ANTARA website, February 12, 2014.