RI Names New Finance Minister

Jakarta, May 20 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has named a new finance minister following the former minister`s appointment as the next central bank governor recently. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced here on Monday that he has already named Chatib Basri, currently head of the Investment Coordinating Board as the new finance minister. He said in a press conference that based on various aspects Chatib Basri was considered fit for the post. "After considering various aspects I decided to trust and assign Dr Muhammad Chatib Basri to be the new finance minister," he said. He said "based on his experience and dedication I view that Dr Chatib is fit and capable to be Indonesia`s finance minister." "God willing I will install him tomorrow so that he could start carrying out his duty right away," he said. Chatib Basri said after following a fit and proper test at the presidential office earlier that day that President Yudhoyono had assigned him to manage the fiscal policy carefully because it was important for the sustainability of the budget. "I was summoned to meet the President and during the meeting the President had given me several assignments," he said. He said he had been asked to manage the fiscal policy, deficit and macro-economic growth well.