The Palace Has Not Prepared a Replacement for Perry, Resigned for Personal Reasons

JAKARTA - The President has not determined the definitive candidate for the Governor of Bank Indonesia after Perry Warjiyo resigned. The palace stated that Perry's letter only listed personal reasons, without mentioning health problems or pressure from the government.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the resignation letter had just been received by the government. The President has not discussed the name of the replacement because the process is still in its early stages.

"It was just yesterday. The President has not been in a day and then immediately appointed the definitive candidate. Not yet," said Prasetyo at the Bank Indonesia Office, Jakarta, Monday, July 27.

According to Prasetyo, the vacancy of the Governor of BI does not interfere with the leadership of the central bank. The Bank Indonesia Law stipulates that the duties of the governor are directly carried out by the temporary official.

The Board of Directors of the BI Governor has appointed Senior Deputy Governor Destry Damayanti as the interim Governor of the BI.

Prasetyo said the government was looking for a time for Destry to meet and discuss with the President. The meeting was hoped to take place on the same day.

"If I can meet or discuss with the President today," he said.

He added that the President had not conveyed a special message to Perry or to the interim leadership of BI. Since the resignation letter was received, there has been no direct meeting between the President and Perry.

Perry, said Prasetyo, submitted his resignation through a letter. The document only mentions personal reasons without further explanation.

"For personal reasons and of course we respect," he said.

Prasetyo also ensured that the letter did not include health reasons. When asked about the news that Perry was sick, he did not specify the personal condition of the former BI Governor.

"No. In his letter he only stated that he was applying for resignation for personal reasons," he said.

When asked about speculation that there was government pressure behind Perry's resignation, Prasetyo did not provide further explanation.

"Who is speculating? That's your question who is speculating," he said.