Indonesian president urges new cabinet to work on boosting growth

(Baonghean) - On August 19, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on ministers in the new cabinet to make efforts to promote growth to revive the largest economy in Southeast Asia.

"The president believes it is important for the government to implement deregulation to ease licensing procedures for businesses, investments, and procurement of goods and services," presidential spokesman Teten Masduki said. Widodo has also called on new cabinet members to cut down on decrees, regulations and other paperwork.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks on August 10. Photo: Reuters

On August 12, President Joko Widodo reshuffled his cabinet by replacing the heads of many important ministries, such as appointing former Central Bank Governor Darmin Nasution as Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr. Tom Lembong, CEO of private equity fund Equity as Minister of Commerce, Mr. Luhut Panjaitan, former Chief of the President's Office, as Minister of Security, Mr. Rizal Ramli as Minister of Maritime Affairs, and former Minister of Economy Sofyan Djalil as Director of the Development Planning Agency,...

In October 2014, Mr. Widodo took office with a pledge to boost the Indonesian economy, which had been slowing in recent years due to a sharp decline in export demand. However, the economy has continued to decline, with growth falling to 4.67% in the second quarter, the lowest since 2009. President Joko Widodo has faced criticism for failing to revive economic growth as promised during the election campaign.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters/DW)