My congratulations to Sri Mulyani Indrawati

Starting on June 1, 2010, Indonesia's Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, will officially take his new position as Managing Director of the World Bank. Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has officially agreed to a written request from the President of World Bank Robert B Zoellick to appoints Sri Mulyani as Managing Director. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also considers it is a strategic position, important and honorable position, namely as the second person on the World Bank. According to a press release No:2010/379/EXC from The World Bank, Sri Mulyani Indrawati will supervise three regions: Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and East Asia and Pacific.

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Sri Mulyani Indrawati. She has been an outstanding Finance Minister with in-depth knowledge of both development issues and the role of the World Bank Group" said Mr. Zoellick.

"Ms. Indrawati brings a unique set of skills and experience to the World Bank Group, from the vantage point of an advancing Middle-Income country that still faces significant challenges of poverty. She has received global recognition for her success in combating corruption and strengthening good governance" noted Mr. Zoellick.

I'm personally feel that Indonesia will loss the best minister of finance. During her term of office, Sri Mulyani has been working hard to implement reforms in the financial sector and save Indonesia from global financial crisis so its impact was not too effected the Indonesian economy and the recovery running fast. As the side effect of Sri Mulyani's efforts in save Indonesia economy from global crisis, many parties including the People's Representative Council of Indonesia has considers Sri Mulyani in capacity as minister of finance must be responsible for the disbursement of Rp 6.7 trillion in the bailout process of Bank Century. Basically the Council see that the policy of Short Term Loan Facility in the bailout process is a problematic policy and through voting has brought this case into legal channel.

Towards these issue (without reducing my respect to the legal process), I still support Sri Mulyani, because:

1. Until now, at least until I publish this post, there is no one of legal decision stating that Sri Mulyani Indrawati as Minister of Finance is guilty.
2. She did not enjoy that bailout money for her personal interest but for this country.
3. She just did any strategic decisions that needed for facing emergency situation namely global financial crisis. At that time, many countries also doing the same thing namely bailout. In case a little not procedural I think we should aware to the situation. In case the money was misused in the body of Bank Century, I thought the most responsible parties is the bank management.
4. The appointment of Sri Mulyani Indrawati as Managing Director of the World Bank also proving her quality, integrity and credibility in the eyes of the world is considered good.

I rarely write about political issues on this blog because in political world does not recognize the eternal friends or enemies, only recognize the eternal interests. But the big achievement of Sri Mulyani has drawn my attention to write this post. Hopefully you're more successful and "more comfortable" in the World Bank. End of words, I invite the readers of this blog to judge.

Update: On July 2016, Sri Mulyani was re-appointed as Minister of Finance after a cabinet reshuffle by President Joko Widodo.