Suahasil and Purbaya Exchange Warm Thanks During Ministry Handover as Business Leaders Look to Fiscal Continuity

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — The leadership mantle at the helm of Indonesia’s state treasury officially transferred from Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa to Suahasil Nazara during a warm, dignified, and succinct handover ceremony at the Ministry of Finance headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.

Taking place in the Djuanda Hall, the proceedings opened with the signing of official handover documents and the symbolic transfer of an iPad containing ministerial handover reports. Both leaders expressed deep appreciation for their mutual collaboration in stewarding the nation's public finances.

The smooth transition of power at the finance ministry signals administrative stability and policy continuity for sovereign bond markets and private enterprise. Following a surprise cabinet reshuffle by President Prabowo Subianto, the seamless transfer reassures domestic industry and foreign investors that fiscal targets, spending execution, and sovereign debt disciplines will remain anchored without institutional friction.

A Lighthearted Departure

Purbaya, who assumed the ministerial post in September 2025 following Sri Mulyani Indrawati, concluded his 2025–2026 tenure with his hallmark directness. Eschewing long, formal remarks, he kept his farewell brief.

“Usually, people speak at length when entering office. Now, I will just keep it short. Let the new finance minister deliver the long speech,” Purbaya said with a chuckle. “Thank you, everyone, for the cooperation over this past year.”

Earlier in the morning, upon arriving at Gedung Djuanda I, reporters pressed Purbaya about what activities he planned to pursue after stepping down from cabinet duties.

"Fishing," Purbaya answered with a wide grin.

As he stepped into his vehicle following the ceremony to the applause of ministry staff and journalists, Purbaya waved and threw his signature thumbs-up gesture. Asked for his final words on his departure, he laughed: “Final words? A comfortable retirement. Hahaha.”

Suahasil Pledges Policy and Institutional Continuity

Taking the podium, Suahasil expressed high praise for Purbaya’s dedication, hard work, and service to the Republic of Indonesia over a challenging year of global economic headwinds.

“On behalf of the extended family of the Ministry of Finance, I express my deepest gratitude and respect to Pak Purbaya and his wife for dedicating themselves to the Republic of Indonesia,” Suahasil said.

Suahasil highlighted Purbaya’s success in breaking down bureaucratic silos and cementing operational synergy among internal directorates—an institutional foundation he pledged to carry forward.

“Pak Purbaya carried forward the ministry’s legacy and reinforced it so that cross-unit collaboration became much closer. This is the environment I inherit, and I want to say thank you for that,” Suahasil noted, calling on all 77,000 ministry staff, lawmakers, and state agencies to maintain collaborative momentum.

The ceremony brought together top policymakers, including Bank Indonesia Governor Destry Damayanti, Financial Services Authority (OJK) Board of Commissioners Chairman Friderica Widyasari Dewi, Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) Chairman Didik Madiyono, and Deputy Finance Ministers Thomas Djiwandono and Anggito Abimanyu.

Business Community Urges Growth and Tax Restitutions

Attending the handover ceremony, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie welcomed Suahasil’s appointment, expressing confidence that his technocratic credentials will anchor market confidence and protect the credibility of the state budget (APBN).

“We believe he will focus on economic stability. Alongside the business community, we also hope he continues to prioritize economic growth,” Anindya said at the finance ministry. “After all, market confidence is something that must be vigilantly guarded.”

Anindya emphasized that achieving sustainable growth requires strategic government pump-priming that allows the private sector to expand business investment, safeguard exchange rate stability, and boost trade flows.

Specifically, Kadin urged the new minister to expedite tax refund (restitusi pajak) disbursements to domestic enterprises to ease cash-flow constraints across the real economy.

“We will certainly convey that, because it is directly tied to corporate cash flow,” Anindya said. “Accelerating restitutions helps ensure that the wheels of economic activity continue turning smoothly.”