President Officially Inducts Chaatib Basri As Finance Minister

Jakarta, May 21 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace here on Tuesday officially installed Muhammad Chatib Basri as the new finance minister to replace Agus Martowardojo. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Vice President Boediono, cabinet ministers, TNI Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono, National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo and other state institution officials. Chatib Basri was inaugurated as the new finance minister on the basis of Presidential Decree No 60/P/2013 which was signed on May 20, 2013. Chatib Basri was the chief of Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) before being elected as finance minister, while Agus Martowardoyo was elected to replace Darmin Nasution as Bank Indonesia governor. President Yudhoyono 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. According to the head of state, the first assignment the new finance minister should carry out is to a prudent and safe fiscal policy. Secondly, the new finance minister must produce policies that would increase investment to boost national economy, he said. Thirdly, the President added that the minister must produce investment policies that would create jobs.