Regarding The Two Deputy Ministers Of Finance, Minister Of State Secretary: Suahasil Guarding The 2024 State Budget And Thomas For Next Year

Minister of Finance and Deputy Minister of Finance I and II (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of State Secretary Pratikno conveyed the appointment of Gerindra Party General Treasurer Thomas Djiwandono as Deputy Minister of Finance (Wamenkeu II), namely to be assigned to prepare the 2025 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).

Pratikno explained that President Joko Widodo's inauguration of Thomas as Deputy Minister of Finance, in Jakarta, Thursday, was to help Deputy Minister of Finance I Suahasil Nazara in ensuring the sustainability of performance during the upcoming government transition.

"This is part of Pak Suahasil's sustainability whose job is to oversee the implementation of the 2024 State Budget, while Mr. Tommy is assigned to prepare and oversee the preparation of the 2025 State Budget," Pratikno said quoting Antara.

With Tommy's appointment, he said again, the government's efforts to prepare the 2025 State Budget are expected to be more mature because Tommy will work directly under Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

He also said that Tommy's inauguration as Deputy Minister of Finance II had been adjusted to the work program of the elected president Prabowo Subianto, who was known to be Tommy's uncle.

"Yes, it has been planned since the beginning at the Ministry of Finance and Bappenas, it has also been discussed because this is part of the sustainability (of the government), so it is also discussed with the elected president," said Pratikno.

He said the preparation of the 2025 State Budget would also cover the budget for the free lunch program.

"Oh, that must have been set at the Ministry of Finance," he said.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated Tommy Djiwandono, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, based on the Decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Number 45 M of 2024 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of Deputy Ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet for the 2019-2024 Period.

Quoted from the official Gerindra Party website, Tommy's career began as an intern in Tempo Magazine in 1993, and in 1994 in Indonesia Business Weekly. In addition, Tommy has worked as a financial analysis at Whetlock NatWest Securities, Hong Kong.

In 2006, his career continued to grow when his uncle who is also Prabowo's younger brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, asked him to help him as a deputy CEO at agribusiness company, Hashim's Arsari Group.

Meanwhile, in the political field, Tommy was involved in the Gerindra Party. He has also been a legislative candidate in West Kalimantan Province.

As the General Treasurer of Gerindra, Tommy's role was very important during the 2014 Presidential Election when the party carried the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa pair.