Muhammad Lutfi Chooses Retirement To Become A State Official In Today's History, October 13, 2014

JAKARTA - History today, 11 years ago, October 13, 2014, the Minister of Trade (Mendag), Muhammad Lutfi admitted that he had no intention of becoming a state official. Even though there was an offer to become a minister and other officials from the elected Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Widodo).

Lutfi considers work as a minister to be stressful. Previously, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) entrusted the position of Trade Minister to Lutfi. This trust is because Lutfi is reliable in matters of establishing cooperation between countries. Something that makes Indonesia profitable.

At first, President SBY really believed in Gita Wirjawan's role as Minister of Trade. Gita is considered by SBY to be able to bring Indonesia's economic growth to increase. SBY is happy with his performance. Gita is considered to be able to advance the Indonesian trade sector. However, Gita has another agenda.

He chose to participate in the Democratic Presidential Candidate Convention. This option was made as a form of contributing to the nation and state that is more correct. Gita also chose to resign from her position as Trade Minister on January 31, 2014.

The resignation is so that there is no conflict of interest. SBY immediately made a quick decision. He is looking for a new Trade Minister. Various names were present. The final choice was to Muhammad Lutfi.

Lutfi is not new. The successful entrepreneur has held the position of Head of the Investment and Coordinating Board (BKPM) for the 2005-2009 era. Lutfi was also appointed as Indonesia's ambassador to Japan to the United States.

This experience is considered by SBY to be useful at the end of his term as president. Lutfi's experience as a BKPM is considered by SBY to be quite classy. The Indonesian economy can be maintained. SBY also appointed him as the new Trade Minister on February 14, 2014.

Lutfi's duties also piled up. He was asked to maintain price stability at home. He was also asked to secure exports and get a new market abroad. These methods make Indonesia's exports abroad increase.

"I view Mr. Lutfi as capable and able to replace Mr. Gita. Japan is one of Indonesia's partners, the economic cooperation between Japan and Indonesia is strong. Therefore, I give an assignment basis."

"I give confidence to Pak Lutfi for the task force. I have done a fit and proper test on someone I chose as the Trade Minister. Pak Lutfi is not new, has contributed to the government that I lead, starting from BKPM in difficult times," said SBY as quoted on the website.com, February 12, 2014.

Lutfi moves as Trade Minister. He tries to show his capacity as a state official. He tries to maintain national stability. Even so, Lutfi's job as Trade Minister did not last long. He became the Trade Minister from February to October 20, 2014, or until the inauguration of the elected President of Indonesia.

Lutfi was not interested in becoming an official for longer. He expressed his desire to retire as a minister or other state officials on October 13, 2014. He was not interested if President-elect Jokowi invited him to join his government.

Lutfi considers work as a minister is not an easy thing and is prone to stress. There are many things to think about carefully. Then, Lutfi did not join the era of Jokowi's first term of government. However, Lutfi actually returned to being Minister of Trade in the Jokowi era for the second period.

"I want to respect my wife, because I want to retire for the country's duties. Hopefully it will be granted. This minister is very stressed. If you don't believe it, try to see my portrait in February and now, my hair will definitely get thinner".

"So this is about to say goodbye. I said goodbye, I beg myself because he said there was no ivory that did not crack. There was a mistake that was intentional or not, I apologize from the bottom of my heart, from all our cooperation," said Lutfi as quoted by the Sindonews page, October 13, 2014.