Monitored for Lack of Monetary Experience, Thomas Djiwandono Emphasizes His Capacity

Thomas Djiwandono. (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

JAKARTA - The appointment of Thomas Djiwandono as Deputy Governor of the Bank Indonesia (BI) has become a public concern because his background is considered not strong in the monetary field.

The nephew of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also responded to the spotlight by stressing that his capacity could not be measured solely by fiscal or monetary classifications.

He revealed that similar criticism was received when he first joined the Ministry of Finance.

"Regarding the track record, when I first entered the Ministry of Finance, I was also told that I had no fiscal experience," he told the media, Wednesday, January 28.

According to Thomas, this assessment often arises whenever occupying a new role, including when moving from the private sector to the government.

However, he assessed that cross-sector experience was actually a strength that could enrich the work of the BI Board of Governors.

"I have other capabilities that complement. I will work with other Board of Governors," he said.

Thomas explained that his educational background in International Relations is inseparable from economic and monetary studies.

He said the curriculum at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) contains about 50 percent of international and monetary economic materials.

Thomas added that a number of global figures with similar educational backgrounds also work in the field of economic and financial policy, one of which is former US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

Apart from the academic aspect, Thomas emphasized his practical experience in the financial and government sectors.

He admitted that he had worked in a private financial institution and for the past one and a half years had handled state financing and investment at the Ministry of Finance.

"I also have experience in private financial institutions and 1.5 years managing financing and investment in the Ministry of Finance. So in practice, I understand the market very well," he said.

Still, Thomas said, his presence at Bank Indonesia is not to replace the monetary expertise of other members of the Board of Governors, but to strengthen coordination and the policy-making process collectively.