President Jokowi Appoints Coordinating Minister Airlangga As Chair Of The National Council For Special Economic Zones (SEZ)

President Jokowi (left) with Coordinating Minister Airlangga on an occasion (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is said to have officially appointed Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto as Chairman of the National Council for Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

The mandate is legally valid starting earlier this week as stated in Presidential Decree No. 10 of 2022 concerning the National Council for Special Economic Zones. It was explained that the President established the National Council for Special Economic Zones, hereinafter referred to as the National Council.

"Chairman, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs," reads Article 1 of Presidential Decree 10/2022, quoted by the editorial staff on Thursday, June 30.

With the signing of Presidential Decree 10/2022, Presidential Decree 8/2010 concerning the National Council for Special Economic Zones was revoked.

"When this Presidential Decree comes into force, Presidential Decree No. 8 of 2010 concerning the National Council for Special Economic Zones is revoked and declared invalid," said Belied.

Meanwhile, based on the new KEK National Council Presidential Decree detailing the duties and responsibilities of Coordinating Minister Airlangga. As in Article 2 states that the National Council is responsible for and reports the results of the implementation of its duties to the President at least 1 (one) time in 1 (one) year and at any time if necessary.

Presidential Decree 10/2022 also stipulates that SEZ funding comes from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) and/or other legal sources in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.

In January 2022, the President also pressed Presidential Regulation (Perpres) 8 of 2022 concerning the National Council, the Secretariat General of the National Council, the Regional Council, and the Administrator of Special Economic Zones.

In Presidential Decree 8/2022, the President gave the National Council the right to request an explanation from the Zone Council and the KEK Administrator regarding the implementation of the SEZ and to request input or assistance from the central, regional and expert governments.