TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has officially appointed the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Head Bahlil Lahadalia as Minister of Investment. The inauguration also marked the change in the BKPM’s nomenclature to be the Ministry of Investment.

The oath of office took place at the State Palace on Wednesday afternoon, April 28, 2021, which was broadcast virtually. The President has also sworn Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim as Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.

“I solemnly swear to Allah that I will hold the 1945 Indonesian Constitution and carry out all the laws and regulations as straight as possible as my devotion to the nation and state,” said Bahlil following the oath read by the President.

“That while fulfilling my duties and obligations, I will uphold the work ethics in the best way with a full responsibility,” said Bahlil, taking the oath together with Nadiem.

Bahlil is the general chair of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi) for the 2015-2019 period. He joined the association in 2003. In October 2019, Jokowi announced Bahlil as the BKPM Head to replace Thomas Trikasih Lembong.

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) deputy chairperson Shinta Widjaja Kamdani hoped the Investment Ministry led by Bahlil Lahadalia will provide legal certainty for investors. “We hope for legal certainty, transparency, policy coherence related to investment, bureaucratic efficiency, and ease of business licensing and investing in Indonesia,” she said.

Read: House Grants Jokowi's Request to Form Investment Ministry

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA