Suahasil Nazara Appointed Indonesia's New Finance Minister: Focus on Economic Stability

On September 14, 2026, Suahasil Nazara was officially appointed as Indonesia's new Minister of Finance, succeeding Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. The appointment was made by President Prabowo Subianto during a ceremony at the Istana Negara in Jakarta. This marks the third change in the finance minister position since Prabowo took office, following the tenures of Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Purbaya.

Suahasil, who previously served as the Deputy Minister of Finance, emphasized his commitment to maintaining a healthy and credible state budget, known as the Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara (APBN). He stated that the directive from the President is to ensure the health and credibility of the state finances, which are crucial for executing the government's priority programs.

“The directive from the President is to ensure the health and credibility of the state finances.”Suahasil Nazara, Minister of Finance

During his first address to the staff at the Ministry of Finance, Suahasil urged employees to continue their work diligently, expressing the importance of creating a Ministry of Finance that is credible and can be trusted by the Indonesian people. His remarks were met with enthusiastic support from the ministry's staff.

Suahasil's appointment comes at a critical time, as Indonesia's economic landscape faces various challenges, including the need to keep the budget deficit below 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He assured that he would uphold this target while also focusing on the implementation of priority programs outlined by the government.

“We need to create a Ministry of Finance that is credible and can be trusted by the Indonesian people.”Suahasil Nazara, Minister of Finance

Market reactions to Suahasil's appointment have been noted as positive. Analysts mentioned that his familiarity with the Ministry and prior experience as Deputy Minister could provide continuity in fiscal policy, which is essential for maintaining investor confidence. Nafan Aji Gusta, a Senior Technical Analyst at Mirae Asset Sekuritas, mentioned that the market's initial response was positive, reflecting a desire for stability amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.

“The market's initial response was positive, reflecting a desire for stability amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.”Nafan Aji Gusta, Senior Technical Analyst, Mirae Asset Sekuritas

However, Suahasil's transition into the role follows a period of significant restructuring within the Ministry of Finance, including the recent dismissal of Purbaya, which some sources attribute to internal coordination issues between different directorates, particularly the Directorate General of Taxes and the Directorate General of Customs. Suahasil has downplayed these concerns, stating that the internal situation is stable.

As he steps into his new role, Suahasil is expected to navigate the complexities of Indonesia's fiscal landscape, ensuring that the APBN supports economic recovery and growth while maintaining public trust in the government's financial management.