Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id – President Prabowo Subianto has officially removed Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as Finance Minister and replaced him with Suahasil Nazara. Suahasil previously served as Deputy Finance Minister and has extensive experience in fiscal policy. The change took place while Purbaya was still attending a meeting with the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) on Monday (14/9/2026).
The inauguration was carried out based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 97P of 2026 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Finance Minister of the Merah Putih Cabinet for the Remaining Term of Office for the 2024-2029 Period.
“That I will be loyal to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and will carry out all laws and regulations as uprightly as possible for my devotion to the nation and state,” Suahasil said in his oath on Monday (14/9/2026).
This change also ends Purbaya’s tenure as Finance Minister, which lasted only about one year and five days. Purbaya was inaugurated in September 2025 to replace Sri Mulyani.
Profile of Suahasil Nazara
Suahasil is not a new name within the Finance Ministry. He has long been part of the ministry’s circle and previously served as Deputy Finance Minister under Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
Suahasil Nazara was born in Jakarta on 23 November 1970. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Indonesia in 1994, an MSc from Cornell University in 1997, and a PhD in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2003. Suahasil is also a Professor of Economics at the University of Indonesia.
His government career includes serving as Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency at the Finance Ministry from 2016–2019 and as Deputy Finance Minister since 2019. Before being inaugurated as Finance Minister, he was still accompanying Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa in discussions on the 2027 State Budget Draft with the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives.
Purbaya Still in Meeting When the Change Occurred
Several hours before Suahasil’s inauguration, Purbaya was known to still be attending a meeting with the DPD RI at the DPD RI Building. The meeting was also attended by Bappenas and representatives from Bank Indonesia.
In the forum, Purbaya was still delivering a presentation on several fiscal policies, including issues related to government bonds. However, the meeting was temporarily halted when one of the DPD RI leaders announced that there was a phone call intended for Purbaya.
“Mr Minister, I will pause first. Because there is a phone call from the Min… Mr Minister, please take a look,” the meeting leader said to Purbaya.
Not long afterward, news of the Finance Minister change emerged and Suahasil was inaugurated to replace Purbaya.
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Internal Reshuffle at Finance Ministry Before Purbaya’s Removal
Purbaya’s replacement also occurred only a few days after he carried out a major reshuffle within the Finance Ministry. It involved hundreds of officials, ranging from primary high-ranking leadership positions, administrators and supervisors to officials in non-echelon organizational units.
The changes even affected the directorate-general ranks, Public Service Agencies (BLU) and several Special Mission Vehicles (SMV) under the Finance Ministry.
Purbaya described the step as part of efforts to refresh the fiscal organization. He said rotation was needed to give opportunities to employees considered capable of taking on greater responsibilities while placing the right people in positions suited to the organization’s challenges.
Quoted from Bloomberg Technoz, the policy was reported to have drawn rejection from Director General of Taxes Bimo Wijayanto. In a letter, employees were told they did not need to heed the Finance Minister’s decision regarding the transfers that had been made.
Malacca Strait Statement Draws Attention
Besides the internal dynamics at the Finance Ministry, Purbaya’s communication style during his tenure also drew attention from foreign media.
Channel News Asia (CNA) highlighted several of Purbaya’s statements that were considered controversial. These included his idea in April 2026 regarding the possibility of imposing a levy on ships passing through the Malacca Strait. The idea was presented as part of efforts to maximize Indonesia’s strategic position on global trade and energy routes.
The statement later received clarification from Foreign Minister Sugiono. The government affirmed that Indonesia would not impose such a levy, particularly because it was considered inconsistent with international law.
CNA also highlighted changes in Purbaya’s public profile while serving as Finance Minister. Purbaya was known to the public for his straightforward communication style with little filtering.(aan/rhd)
