Jabat Wamenkeu II, Thomas Djiwandono Ready To Withdraw From Bendum Gerindra If Necessary

Deputy Minister of Finance II Thomas Djiwandono. (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

Deputy Minister of Finance (Wamenkeu) II Thomas Djiwandono opened his voice regarding his position as General Treasurer (Bendum) of the Gerindra Party.

Thomas said he would follow all applicable provisions and would hold a meeting with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance Heru Pambudi regarding whether or not to resign from the position of the party's General Treasurer.

"After this, a meeting will be held with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance. I will follow all applicable regulations, including if I resign from the position of General Treasurer of Gerindra," Thomas said during a press conference, Thursday, July 18.

Meanwhile, regarding the free nutritious food program, Thomas said that the program has been included in the 2025 State Budget Draft (RAPBN).

However, Thomas has not been able to go into more detail regarding the implementation of the program's budget.

However, he believes, the program is in line with the 2025 RAPBN which is being discussed in the DPR.

"For free lunch is not the time, what I can say is all things related to the selected flagship program, whether free lunch and so on, it will be in line with the principles that have been explained by the Minister of Finance," said Thomas.

Thomas said he had coordinated consistently with all levels of the Ministry of Finance.

"We worked for almost 3.5 months very intensely with the Deputy Minister of Finance, the Minister of Finance, and the Director General. This is to convince or actually give a concrete picture that the consistency has been finalized. And I think it is the most important part of me," he said.

Thomas conveyed that with his inauguration he showed consistency during the transition period from the Jokowi administration to President-elect Prabowo.

"That this actually shows the consistency of us for the first time meeting about 3 months ago in this building as well. As far as I remember, the mother of Finance was pleased to meet the synchronization team chaired by Mr. Dasco at that time and it was about 3 months ago, so this actually shows that consistency," he said.

Therefore, Thomas conveyed that he was included in Jokowi's Cabinet to ensure that President-elect Prabowo was consistent in maintaining future fiscal instruments.

Previously reported, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati conveyed that with the inauguration of Thomas Djiwandono as Deputy Minister of Finance II, he would cooperate with Deputy Minister of Finance I Suahasil Nazara in managing state finances and preparing the 2025 State Budget Draft (RAPBN).

"Pak Thomas Djiwandono as Deputy Minister of Finance will work together with Mr. Deputy Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara and also all echelon 1 officials to be able to carry out the task of managing state finances, carrying out their duties as state treasurers together," he said.

Sri Mulyani conveyed that the task of Deputy Minister of Finance II Thomas Djiwandono would focus on drafting the 2025 Revenue and Expenditure Budget Draft (RAPBN).

In addition, the inclusion of Thomas in the Ministry of Finance will facilitate the synchronization process of a number of policies from the Elected President and Vice President Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka Government.

"We all know that we are very familiar with the APBN cycle. So indeed the focus for Thomas will participate in the preparation of the 2025 RAPBN. With Thomas' entry, it will make all communications much easier," Sri Mulyani said at a press conference, Thursday, July 18.

Sri Mulyani emphasized that the presence of Thomas as Deputy Minister of Finance II would strengthen the Ministry of Finance in coordinating with the Prabowo-Gibran Synchronization Task Force Team.

"As Deputy Minister of Finance II mas tommy will further strengthen us at the Ministry of Finance in coordinating with this transitional process team, in this transitional government process," he explained.

Sri Mulyani hopes that the transition process will run smoothly and maintain the sustainability of state financial management based on governance, both prudently accountable, disciplined and credible.

Sri Mulyani also conveyed that steps in the implementation of the APBN must be able to mitigate risks in order to maintain economic stability and strengthen the momentum of economic growth, as well as maintain healthy and sustainable fiscal instruments.

"We must be able to mitigate risks so that we can maintain economic stability, maintain growth while maintaining fiscal instruments or the state budget so that we can continue to be healthy and sustainable," he explained.