Daftarsbmptn.com – In just 1 month since his inauguration on September 8, 2025 as Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa (hereinafter abbreviated as Minister Purbaya): skyrocketed like a star as the most popular public figure in Indonesia. And at the same time also added new energy to the United Indonesia Cabinet. This is proven by the massive discussion in the “cyber” world aka social media about Minister Purbaya’s actions. The Index Politica survey, on October 29, 2025, released quite phenomenal survey results. Minister of Finance Purbaya: obtained second-place electability of 22.50 percent as a Presidential Candidate in the 2029 presidential election. While the Highest electability remains:
President Prabowo Subianto, with an electability of 40.12 percent. Minister Purbaya, beat other figures such as Vice President Gibran Rakabuming only 4.8%; Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure AHY 5.12% and Governor of West Java Dedy Mulyadi 2.5%. A survey conducted between October 1 and 10, 2025, also placed Minister of Finance Purbaya with the highest electability rating of 28.65% for the vice presidential position. He was followed by Dedy Mulyadi with 20.15% and AHY with 15.75%. We may agree or disagree with the validity and results of the Index Politica survey, but the reality is that Minister Purbaya’s figure certainly presents a difference from previous Ministers of Finance, including other members of the United Indonesia Cabinet. Minister Purbaya speaks the language of the people, is straightforward, and is easily understood by all groups. Furthermore, in his statements and policies presented to the public, Minister Purbaya clearly demonstrates a lack of burden. Let’s examine some of Minister Purbaya’s policies:
First, the placement of 200 trillion rupiah in the State Bank Association (Himbara). Each Himbara bank received the following funding: Bank Mandiri 55 trillion, BNI 55 trillion, BRI 55 trillion, BTN 25 trillion, and BSI 10 trillion. This policy not only surprised many, as it was unprecedented, but also made Himbara bankers nervous, as they had never expected or experienced it before. Typically, banks compete to seek funding from third parties at attractive interest rates. This policy was intended to strengthen liquidity. And Himbara banks were expected to be able to channel credit to the productive sector. Remarkably, the placement of these funds was accompanied by two conditions:
they must not be used for foreign exchange trading and they must not be given to certain business groups who had already enjoyed their fill of banking facilities. This presented a challenge for Himbara bankers to be more creative while simultaneously encouraging fairer and more equitable economic growth. Based on data as of the end of September 2025, the 200 trillion rupiah funds placed in the Himbara Banks have begun to be disbursed to the business world, with the following details: Bank Mandiri has disbursed 40.6 trillion rupiah, BRI 33.9 trillion rupiah, BNI 27 trillion rupiah, BTN 4.8 trillion rupiah, and BSI 5.5 trillion rupiah. The realization of these fund disbursements is expected to increase in accordance with the policies of each state-owned bank.
Second, carrying out the function of Budget Controller. Based on Law No. 17 of 2003 concerning State Finance and Law No. 1 of 2004 concerning State Treasury: The Minister of Finance is the Fiscal Manager and the State Treasurer. Both functions require the Minister of Finance to carry out Budget Control. So that the prepared APBN funds are absorbed properly. With high budget absorption, it is hoped that efficiency in state financial management will occur. At the same time, it also encourages economic movement and growth. The budget control is realized by visiting Ministries and Institutions/whose budgets are relatively large and are priority programs. Is the effort to remind Ministries and Institutions to be able to absorb the APBN considered intervention? Not really. He is carrying out his duties and functions as a budget controller. There is nothing wrong. It’s just that perhaps Minister Purbaya’s statement regarding the Regional Government funds that are idle Rp 234 trillion has become a publicity.
And responded by various parties in the form of checks and re-checks. This is actually good because it demonstrates that all relevant parties share the same commitment: prudence in managing state finances. Regarding returns from deposits and current accounts from the placement of Regional Funds, they will automatically be transferred to the Regional Government’s treasury. This will be clearly disclosed during the audit of the Regional Government’s Financial Report by the Indonesian Supreme Audit Agency (BPK RI). The controversy over the sluggish funds eventually subsided after Minister Purbaya apologized, as reported by the media on November 4, 2025. Furthermore, empirically, budget absorption will be in the range of 93-96 percent by the end of the fourth quarter. The absolute absorption figure will be known after the audit of the Financial Report is completed by the Indonesian Supreme Audit Agency (BPK RI).
Third, end the burden-sharing policy with Bank Indonesia. “Burden Sharing” is a financing burden-sharing scheme between the government and the Central Bank to ease the country’s fiscal burden, especially during times of crisis. The termination of this policy is intended to emphasize Bank Indonesia’s role as an independent central bank in accordance with Law No. 23 of 1999 concerning Bank Indonesia. It also prevents the intermingling of monetary management and fiscal management functions. Therefore, this policy is appropriate.
Fourth, it addresses the problem of thrifting, or the illegal buying and selling of imported used clothing. This policy strongly favors domestic textile and garment industry players. Although the growth and development of textile and garment businesses are also influenced by the availability of raw materials and technology used, these two factors make textiles and garments from China much cheaper and of higher quality.
Fifth, the policy allows regional governments and state-owned enterprises to borrow money from the central government, based on Government Regulation No. 38/2025, with an interest rate of 0.5%. These loan funds can be used by regional governments to build infrastructure and engage in productive economic activities. This is a very positive step in encouraging regional development. Regional governments should prepare everything as well as possible if they are interested. utilize the loan facility.
The policies announced by Minister Purbaya have been implemented, although not all have shown tangible results: after all, every policy requires a process for implementation. However, the MATCHING OF WHAT IS SAID AND WHAT IS DONE is a key point for Minister Purbaya.
We will discuss why Minister Purbaya’s popularity and electability have risen so rapidly in Indonesian politics. Even since the reform era, no seasoned politician has achieved the popularity and electability of Minister Purbaya. Typically, a politician needs a relatively long time, along with significant energy and nutrition, to gain popularity, let alone high electability. Why is Minister Purbaya able to do so?
First, before September 8, 2025, the public was not even familiar with Purbaya, except for a limited number of people in the Capital Market and Financial Services. Upon his inauguration as Minister of Finance, Purbaya immediately launched a “relatively populist” policy within just one month, as described above. This policy received a positive response from the majority of the public. Therefore, the strategic position of Minister of Finance is highly influential. The position of Minister of Finance is not only highly technocratic but also political. Minister Purbaya skillfully and elegantly played both technocratic and political roles.
Second, Minister Purbaya represents the antithesis of the previous official.
Perhaps the public perceived Purbaya’s presence as Minister of Finance as a fresh new figure, compared to the previous official, who had been in power for too long and with a particular style. Purbaya appeared humble and made concrete statements that were relatively easy for everyone to understand. And indeed, sometimes shocking statements emerge, including: 200 trillion rupiah will be disbursed to banks; 234 trillion rupiah in regional government funds are languishing in banks; There will be no tax increases for now and will carefully calculate the prospects for the end of the year; There will be a crackdown on rogue officials and smugglers; all delivered in a straightforward, data-driven manner without any embellishments. This is what makes the public and Generation Z, who dominate social media, love Finance Minister Purba’s style.
Third, amidst the ongoing debate about the validity of a high-ranking state official’s diploma, and a public figure who stutters when confronted by the media about solutions to problems in his field of work: Minister Purbaya emerges with a very strong track record and fits the position he holds as “the right man in the right place.” Purbaya sets the tone and appears somewhat different. Given the political realities described above, it’s no surprise that Minister Purbaya has emerged as a new icon and idol in Indonesian politics.
As an official holding a highly strategic position and possessing high popularity and electability, especially as a vice presidential candidate in the 2029 presidential election, a new question arises: Should Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa join a political party? That’s up to Minister Purbaya himself. However, Minister Purbaya should focus on his work as a technocrat with a political position as Minister of Finance. When the time comes, especially if all the policies he has enunciated and stored in public memory are successfully implemented, offers and proposals from all directions for the vice presidential position in the 2029 presidential election will naturally come. This is commonplace and normal in the world of politics.
However, do we need to issue a warning to Minister Purbaya? Because his position is highly strategic, as he himself admitted: as Minister of Finance, his power is immense. Minister Purbaya’s caliber doesn’t need any warning. He knows what to do and what not to do. However, sharing his experiences as an official in a high-ranking state institution is not wrong. Conflict of interest is a virus that can sting high-ranking government officials in power: whoever they are, wherever they are, even in America. It can come from capital owners, certain political forces, and even from fellow officials themselves, as well as from close and distant relatives. This is what must be avoided. The author himself experienced a tragic accident due to distant family members and fellow officials: it’s a risk… I face it.
Good luck, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. The people await the results of your efforts. God willing, it will be accepted.