Called to be the Minister of Investment, Observer: Is Bahlil Able To Bring In IDR 900 Trillion?

Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - The issue of cabinet reshuffle is getting heard after the news that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will appoint two new ministers this week. Namely the Minister of Research and Minister of Investment.

Strong allegations of the position of investment minister led to the Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia. Responding to the issue, political observer Ray Rangkuti questioned Bahlil's achievements.

"It is still in the question of whether the chairman of BKPM, in this case, Bahlil Lahadalia excels or not", Ray told VOI, Wednesday, April 15.

According to him, Bahlil's achievements must be really measured during his tenure as head of BKPM until he is nominated as a candidate for investment minister. Because the coalition parliament also wants the position.

"Why is this a question, because I guess that political parties are also targeting this position (investment minister, red). Although personally, I feel that this position should be held by those who have absolutely no relationship or association with professional and independent political parties", explained the Director of Lingkar Madani (LIMA) Indonesia.

"Who is the figure? Yes, I do not know, whether Bahlil or who but the criteria there (professional and independent, red). And able to attract as much investment as possible by the target said by Mr. Jokowi, namely IDR900 trillion", continued Ray Rangkuti.

As is known, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to look for investment flows, both domestic and foreign up to IDR900 trillion this year.

"He is not based on the party, Bahlil was directly elected by Jokowi, but the question of whether he was able to bring in investment of IDR900 trillion? That's the big question", Ray said again.

Ray admits Bahlil has a personal closeness to President Jokowi, even his vision is the same. He is actually quite adequate to be the minister of investment.

"But again, is he able to bring investment as much as IDR900 trillion? Now that's a question", said Ray Rangkuti.

Previously, the Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia explained that Jokowi's demand is much greater than the target set by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).

"Our target Bappenas delivered approximately IDR886 trillion in 2021, red. But we are in the direction of our President it should be IDR900 trillion", Bahlil said in a virtual press conference, Monday, January 25.