President To Install New Finance Minister

Jakarta, May 21 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace on Tuesday is scheduled to install Muhammad Chatib Basri in office to replace Agus Martowardojo as the new finance minister. The president on Monday appointed Chatib Basri as the new finance minister after the latter underwent fit and proper test at the Presidential Palace. Speaking to the press on Monday, the head of state said Chatib Basri would carry out three assignments as finance minister to replace Agus Martowardojo who has been elected Bank Indonesia (BI) governor for the 2013-2018 term. "During the fit and proper test, I told Chatib Basri about three tasks the finance minister has to carry out," President Yudhoyono said. According to the head of state, the first assignment the new finance minister should carry out is to a prudent and safe fiscal policy. "Under current global conditions, our fiscal policy must be maintained well, our budget must be maintained sound and therefore a prudent policy is needed," he noted. Secondly, the new finance minister must produce policies that would increase investment to boost national economy, he said. "The finance minister must make policies that could increase investment, fiscal policies that would concretely support investment be they fiscal incentive or other policies. Certainly they are all aimed at increasing investment that would bring real benefit for our country," he said. Thirdly, the President added that the minister must produce investment policies that would create jobs. "The finance minister must produce policies that would increase investment that would create employment such as in the industrial sector so that in the current global economic conditions our economy would continue to grow to reduce unemployment, poverty and maintain growth and stability," he said. President Yudhoyono had also specifically assigned the new finance minister to safeguard the debate on the draft revised budget in the parliament. "The urgent task is safeguarding the debate on the draft revised budget in the parliament in the next few days as well as the draft 2014 budget. Certainly speed and cooperation are needed between cabinet members so that the tasks could be carried out well," he said.