No Problem With The Purbaya Minister Of Finance's Cowboy Style, Luhut: The Important Thing Is That The Goal Is Good

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, responded to the public spotlight on the communication style of the Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadive, who is often referred to as koboi. According to him, this method is not a problem as long as it aims for the benefit of the people.

"Yes, it is important that the goal is good. And indeed, in the context of the current situation, it must be fast to make decisions. If you make decisions quickly for the benefit of many people, why not? I am good," said Luhut at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Wednesday, September 24.

Luhut assessed that Purbaya's steps since leading the Ministry of Finance are in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives.

In a sense, the policies implemented are more efficient and effective, with clear data, and ensuring that the state budget can reach the lowest level of society.

"I think it's good what he did. In my opinion, translating the President's wishes is more efficient, more effective, and also the data provided is good, ensuring the President's wishes, the budget goes down, so that the circulation of money below is the way," he said.

One of Purbaya's statements highlighted by Luhut was regarding the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program. Some time ago, Purbaya said that MBG funds that were not optimally absorbed would be withdrawn so that state money would not be "employed".

In the discourse, the unabsorbed MBG budget can be transferred to 10 kilograms of rice for the community. However, Luhut arrested that statement was conveyed by Purbaya as a reminder so that the budget provided could be channeled optimally.

"I think the Bergizi Eating Program is a good program. It's just a matter of managing it, so it can be done in an orderly manner. Pak Purbaya, I see that he wants to be directly involved in supervising it so that he can ensure that Rp171 trillion can go down well," said the former Coordinating Minister.

Purbaya Yudhi Sadive was officially inaugurated as Minister of Finance on September 8, 2025, replacing Sri Mulyani Indrawati. Since the beginning of her term of office, Purbaya has immediately been in the public spotlight due to her communication style.

When he first took office, Purbaya was aware that the statement he made drew public criticism. Especially regarding the demands of 17+8. Purbaya stated that these aspirations came from a small number of people who felt that their lives had been disrupted or had not been fulfilled.

Before long, Purbaya apologized and admitted that he was still new to the Ministry of Finance, and was still in the process of being adjusted.

"I'm still a new official here, the minister is also a minister in shock, so if you say he said, if Sri Mulyani said, her style is cowboy, when I was at LPS, no one was monitoring it, so I calmed down, it turned out that in different finances, ma'am said the wrong thing, I was immediately twisted here and there," said Purbaya after handing over the position at the Ministry of Finance, Tuesday, September 9.

Another Purbaya statement also drew public attention. As when he claimed to have recognized the market conditions for a long time. Purbaya emphasized that his experience in leading an economic institution provides an adequate understanding of the market and fiscal policy. Purbaya used this statement to defend himself against public doubts regarding his capacity.