Faisal Basri's Message To The Minister Of Finance Prabowo: If 'Engasy' Continues To Enter The Gorge Quickly

Senior Economist Faisal Basri (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Senior Economist Indef Faisal Basri gave a message that officials who fill the position of Minister of Finance (Menkeu) in the government of the President and Vice President Elect Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka can put the brakes on granting the budget to each ministry or institution (k/l).

Faisal deeply regrets that so far the performance of the Minister of Finance in the era of President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) leadership seems 'gasy'.

"All the ministers, right, asked for an additional budget. Yes, the Minister of Finance should (function) be the brake. 'You can't, (budget) has exceeded the limit'," Faisal told reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, August 21.

He considered that if the Minister of Finance's function went well, Indonesia's concern to enter the economic crisis could be avoided.

"So, the Minister of Finance must function as the brake. If the brakes are safe, we don't crash, we don't go into a ravine. If the Minister of Finance also gases, yes, it will go into a ravine faster. That's the logic," he said.

Even so, Faisal was reluctant to comment later on who would serve as the State Treasurer. He also mentioned the name Thomas Djiwandono, who currently serves as Deputy Minister of Finance (Wamenkeu) II.

However, he does not yet know whether Thomas will fill the position of the Minister of Finance in the future.

"I don't know if Thomas will become Minister of Finance, not necessarily, right. But, maybe he is still Deputy Minister, yes, he can," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election Prabowo Subianto plans to announce the composition of his cabinet on October 21, 2024 or the day after being inaugurated as President of the Republic of Indonesia for the period 2024-2029.

Prabowo conveyed his plan to Luhut when the two attended a limited meeting (Ratas) with President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, August 5.

"Yesterday he said that I was sworn in on October 20, on October 21, I announced the cabinet, I will launch it. Then the cabinet session on October 23," said Luhut during a book launch event at Wisma Elang Laut, Jakarta, Tuesday, August 6.