Minister of Finance Purbaya admits to meeting Juda Agung, discussing economic conditions

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa (Photo: VOI doc)

JAKARTA - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that he had met directly with former Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) Juda Agung, on Tuesday, January 20.

He added that during the meeting, the two discussed various economic issues as well as their respective views on economic conditions.

"Yes (met), yes (discussed) all the economy, what is the condition of the view, what is his view," he told the media, Tuesday, January 20.

When asked about the possibility of Juda Agung serving as Deputy Minister of Finance, Purbaya stated that it was entirely the prerogative of President Prabowo Subianto.

However, he assessed that Juda has good economic knowledge. "I don't know, it depends on the President. But if it's from economic knowledge, it's pretty good," he explained.

Regarding the time for the process of replacement or appointment of positions, Purbaya admitted that he did not know for sure. "I don't know (when the process of exchanging is certain," he said.

However, he said that the process could happen before February.

When asked about the urgency of the exchange of positions between Thomas Djiwandono and Juda Agung, Purbaya emphasized that he did not have the authority to make decisions.

"Oh, I don't know. It's not me who took care of it, right," he said.

He also admitted that he did not know in detail whether there was a direct order from the President regarding this matter, although he said that it was likely to have been discussed earlier.

Purbaya added that the background of himself and Juda Agung is relatively similar, namely both have a background as engineers who later have careers as economists, although they come from different educational institutions.

"I don't know. So Mr. Juda met me, I don't know what it was. Anyway, he was at BI, he wanted to see this, this. Well, we discussed the economy with him. Ask what kind of finance? like this, but I don't know if he is a single candidate, double, or candidate," he said.