Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto Appoints Suahasil Nazara as New Finance Minister

Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa left midway through a parliamentary hearing on the day of the reshuffle, shortly before Suahasil Nazara arrived at the presidential palace for the swearing-in ceremony.
Purbaya served as finance minister for only one year after succeeding Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Sept. 8, 2025.
Suahasil brings an extensive academic background to the post: he earned a master’s degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and became a professor at the University of Indonesia in 2009.
Before joining the Finance Ministry’s senior leadership, Suahasil worked on fiscal decentralization policy and coordinated poverty-reduction policy groups under the vice president’s office, broadening his experience beyond state-budget management.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Suahasil pledged allegiance to Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution and promised to faithfully implement the country’s laws and regulations in service of the nation and state.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto replaced Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa with deputy Suahasil Nazara, marking the third finance minister change in less than two years CNBC. Nazara, who has served as deputy finance minister since 2019, was sworn in at the presidential palace in Jakarta to complete the 2024–2029 term. Purbaya's removal comes as Indonesia's economy lags behind Prabowo's 8 percent growth target, with current growth stuck near 5 percent SCMP.
Purbaya served as finance minister for just one year, taking office on September 8, 2025, after replacing Sri Mulyani Indrawati Mix929. He departed during a parliamentary hearing on the day of the reshuffle, shortly before Nazara arrived at the presidential palace for his swearing-in ceremony. The abrupt exit highlighted growing tensions within Prabowo's economic team as investor concerns mounted over fiscal policy direction.
Suahasil brings substantial academic credentials to the post. He earned a master's degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign SCMP. He became a professor at the University of Indonesia in 2009, giving him deep expertise in economic theory and fiscal matters.
Before rising to deputy finance minister, Suahasil worked on fiscal decentralization policy and coordinated poverty-reduction policy groups under the vice president's office Mix929. This broader experience beyond state-budget management signals Prabowo may be seeking a more comprehensive approach to economic growth.
This appointment marks Prabowo's fifth Cabinet reshuffle since taking office in October 2024 SCMP. The frequent changes suggest the president is struggling to build a stable economic team capable of meeting his ambitious growth targets. Indonesia's economy remains below potential, creating pressure on fiscal and monetary policymakers.
At his swearing-in, Suahasil pledged allegiance to Indonesia's 1945 Constitution and promised to faithfully implement the country's laws in service of the nation and state. His appointment reflects Prabowo's attempt to restore investor confidence and realign fiscal policy with growth objectives.
Prabowo has explicitly stated he is attempting to restore investor confidence in Indonesia CNBC. The frequent finance minister changes risk signaling instability to international markets, even as Suahasil's credentials may reassure some observers. How quickly the new minister can stabilize fiscal policy and accelerate growth toward the 8 percent target will determine the reshuffle's success.
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