TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) appointed Muhammad Luthfi as the new Trade Minister in the Second United Indonesia Cabinet replacing Gita Wirjawan who resigned on February 1, 2014.
"I consider Muhammad Lutfi as capable of replacing Gita Wirjawan as Trade Minister," said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a press conference at the State Palace on Wednesday.
According to SBY, Lutfi was selected based on fit-and-proper test two days ago by SBY himself and the Vice President Boediono.
SBY stated that Lutfi's first priority as the Trade Minister is to stabilize domestic price. "This is very important," he said. SBY also asked Lutfi to secure and find new export opportunities for Indonesia.
Furthermore, SBY hoped that Lutfi will conduct an effective diplomacy to remove barriers from Indonesia's commodities. Lutfi will be inaugurated tomorrow at the State Palace.
Lutfi, who is currently the Indonesian ambassador for Japan and was the chief of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), was present with Gita Wirjawan in the press conference at the Palace.
Previously, Gita Wirjawan resigned from his position as Trade Minister to focus on Democratic Party Convention for 2014 presidential candidate.
WDA | PRIHANDOKO
