Solikin Juhro lifts Sumitronomics while undergoing the Fit and Proper Test for BI Deputy Governor Candidate

Solikin M Juhro undergoing a fit and proper test as a candidate for Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI). (Photo: Screen Capture)

JAKARTA - Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives officially started a series of fit and proper tests (fit and proper test) for candidates for Deputy Governor of the Bank Indonesia (BI).

Solikin M. Juhro became the first candidate to undergo the process and currently, he serves as the Head of the BI Macroprudential Policy Department.

In his presentation before Commission XI, Solikin carried a policy theme entitled Strengthening Synergy to Encourage Higher Economic Growth, Resilient and Inclusive for a Prosperous Indonesia.

Solikin assessed that the theme was strategic and relevant because it was in line with the government's policy direction and reflected the aspirations of the Indonesian people.

According to him, this vision is important to bring Indonesia out of the middle income trap which until now is still a challenge.

"We consider this theme to be strategic and relevant because it is in line with the government's policy direction, as well as the aspirations of all Indonesian people to realize an advanced Indonesia and be able to get out of the middle income trap, which until now is still a challenge," he said in a meeting with Commission XI, Friday, January 23.

He emphasized that to achieve higher and sustainable economic growth, it is necessary to strengthen macroeconomic and financial stability as the main foundation.

According to him, this stability is a prerequisite for the economic transformation process to run healthily and provide benefits evenly for all levels of society.

In his presentation, Solikin also quoted the philosophy of the ancestors of the paraning dumadi, which emphasizes awareness of the origin and ultimate purpose of life.

According to him, this philosophy teaches that the existence of individuals, institutions, and nations has a noble goal, namely to realize common welfare through the balance of values, intentions, and actions.

In addition, Solikin also referred to the thoughts of Prof. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo or often referred to as Sumitronomics which emphasizes that the main challenge of the Indonesian economy is to build a strong national economy based on its own capabilities and oriented towards improving the welfare of the people.

"This thinking emphasizes the importance of building a solid economic foundation that grows on domestic strengths and is oriented towards improving the welfare of the community," he said.

He explained that in this context, economic growth is not only measured by the magnitude of the figure, but also by its quality in strengthening the national economic structure and expanding prosperity.

According to him, to realize high, resilient, and inclusive growth, it is necessary to strengthen the domestic sector, financial system stability, and policies that are adaptive to global dynamics.

For information, Solikin started his career at Bank Indonesia since 1994.

He previously served as the Head of the BI Institute in the period 2017-2022, as well as the Head of the Department of Economic and Monetary Policy in 2022-2023.

In terms of education, Solikin has a strong academic background in economics.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Development Studies from Airlangga University in 1991, then obtained a Master of Applied Economics from the University of Michigan in 1998.

Furthermore, he completed his master's degree in economics at the University of Maryland in 2001 and earned a doctorate in Monetary Economics from the University of Indonesia in 2005.