President SBY Appointed Chairul Tanjung as New Minister for Economic Affairs

Credit Picture: KOMPAS.com/SABRINA ASRIL
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Chairul Tanjung

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that he accepted the resignation of Hatta Rajasa as Minister for Economic Affairs, Friday (05/16/2014). President officially appointed Chairman of the National Economic Committee (Komite Ekonomi Nasional, KEN) Chairul Tanjung instead of Hatta. "I have taken the decision to choose Chairul Tanjung as the new Minister for Economic Affairs," said the president in a press conference on Friday afternoon. Before holding a press conference, President had a closed meeting with Hatta Rajasa, Chairul Tanjung, and also State Secretary Minister, Sudi Silalahi.

President have an eye for Chairul Tanjung that he has skills, abilities, and commitment to encourage the economic development in the country. "Over the past 5 years , Mr. Chairul Tanjung is not a foreign in the cabinet and the government, and KEN closely helps cope with economic problems and points out that the government policies could be conducted to make the economy better," he said.

As reported, on Wednesday ( 13/05/2014 ), Hatta met the President with the president candidate, Prabowo from Gerindra Party. During the meeting, Hatta expressed his resignation as Minister for Economic Affairs because he’s about to go forward as a candidate for vice-president candidate with Prabowo. The resignation from Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta was subject to the Act No. 42 of 2008 about the Presidental and Vice Presidental Election. In Article 6 of the Act, state officials which nominated by the political party or coalition of political parties as a candidate for president or vice president should resign from its position.

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