TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has nominated former minister Mari Elka Pangestu as a World Bank bigwig, said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

“President nominates Mari Pangestu as the country’s representative at the World Bank. [The nomination] is still in process,” said Luhut in his office, Friday, Oct. 11.

Luhut said Jokowi had chosen Mari given the latter's exceptional skills in the economic sector. The former trade minister in SBY’s era is also considered as an adept figure with qualifications of international standards.

The nomination reflected the country’s seriousness in supporting national figures to become leaders at the global level. According to Luhut, Indonesia has so far been less progressive in sending its representatives to a leading international organization.

Albeit the name has not been submitted officially, Luhut asserted that Jokowi had approached the organization. “The President will directly contact the organization regarding the sending of an Indonesian representative,” he added.

Mari Elka Pangestu had served as a minister twice. In 2004, she was inaugurated as SBY’s minister of trade, and in the United Indonesia Cabinet, she was appointed as tourism and creative economy minister replacing Jero Wacik, who was implicated in a graft case.

Tempo has tried to reach Mari Elka Pangestu via text and phone call regarding her appointment as Indonesia's representative at the World Bank. However, there was no response yet by the time of writing.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA