Appointed By Jokowi As Minister Of Trade, M. Lutfi: I Promise To Work In A Transparent Way

Minister of Trade, M. Lutfi. (Photo: Doc. Of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Muhammad Lutfi as Minister of Trade to replace Agus Suparmanto in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. Previously, Lutfi served as Indonesian Ambassador to the United States.

Muhammad Lutfi admitted that he was very honored after being given the opportunity by President Jokowi to lead the trade ministry. He promised to work optimally, especially in improving the national economy in the future.

"I promise to work as hard as possible, as smart as possible, as much as possible to ensure that Indonesia's economy will be better in the future," he said at the State Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 22.

According to Lutfi, the global economy is currently facing difficult conditions due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the Ministry of Trade must be able to carry out its function properly in order to provide welfare for all Indonesian people.

"He (Jokowi) entrusted me to lead the Ministry of Trade, an institution whose mechanism is to ensure that the flow of goods runs well, economic activities run well so that prosperity can be created for the Indonesian people," he said.

Lutfi makes an analogy of the ministry he leads like a referee in a boxing game. Where the sellers are boxers and the Indonesian people are the audience.

"When the referee doesn't do something the way it should, the audience and the boxers will see cheating or flaws. That's why I promise to be transparent.

This ministry will also ensure that the Indonesian economy must run well, efficiently for the welfare of the nation and state, "he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced six new names for ministerial posts in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. One of them is Muhammad Lutfi who was appointed as the Indonesian Minister of Trade.

"He previously served as Head of BKPM, Minister of Trade, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan and most recently Indonesian Ambassador to the United States. And now we give him the task of leading the Ministry of Trade. I think that is an introduction I can deliver this afternoon," said Jokowi.

For your information, Muhammad Lutfi was previously assigned to serve as the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States under Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin's leadership.

The man who was born in Jakarta, August 16, 1969, served as Minister of Trade during the reign of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono for several months, for a term of office from 14 February to 20 October 2014.

Then, he also served as the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan and the Micronesian Federation for the 2010-2013 term.