TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nadiem Makarim claimed that leaving his startup Gojek to serve as President Jokowi’s minister was a difficult decision to make. The President had sworn Nadiem today morning, October 23, as Education and Culture Minister.

“I hardly leave Gojek, [that I've considered] my child, a family. I leave [Gojek] for this [ministerial seat] because I think the future of Indonesia is on the hand of young people," said Nadiem at State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, October 23.

According to him, Indonesia had not seen significant changes in the education sector for the past 20 to 30 years. While in fact, education is the sole long-term solution for the country’s better future.

“Pak Muhadjir and Pak Nasir must have carried out various breakthroughs that I would resume and improve,” said the graduate of Harvard Business School.

Nadiem further expressed his determination to create competence- and character-based education. Albeit he did not come from the education sector, he considered himself worthy to be a minister as he acknowledged the country’s future. “My business sector is about future,” he remarked.

Nadiem Makarim was also determined to run the link and match program between what has been done inside and outside the education sector.”Technology has a vital role in this huge educational system as we have 300,000 schools and 50 million students. We have to make breakthroughs and create innovation,” he underlined.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO | DEWI NURITA