Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia \u2014 Indonesia has recorded a mass resignation\nof state officials. In one moment, 14 ministers, most from the economic\nsector, chose to resign from their posts.<\/p>\n
The event occurred on 20 May 1998 amid a monetary crisis that\ndevastated the foundations of the national economy. The rupiah\ncollapsed, inflation surged, the banking sector faltered, and public\nconfidence in the government was almost exhausted.<\/p>\n
On that day, Coordinating Minister for Economic, Finance, and\nIndustry Ginandjar Kartasasmita chaired a meeting of the economy\nministers at the Bappenas Building, Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The meeting was not a routine gathering. In the book Managing\nIndonesia\u2019s Transformation (2013), Ginandjar recounted that the\ndiscussion was a continuation of intensive discussions since morning\nwith ministers, journalists, and business people. All discussed one\nthing: Indonesia was moving toward the cliff of economic and political\ncrisis with no roadmap out.<\/p>\n
At the Bappenas forum, Ginandjar presented the national economic\nsituation candidly. His conclusion was unequivocal. If left unchecked,\nIndonesia could collapse. That view was endorsed by almost all ministers\npresent. Only one objected: Ary Mardjono, Minister for Agrarian\nAffairs\/Head of the BPN.<\/p>\n
From this collective consciousness arose the major decision.\nGinandjar announced his intention to resign from the Development Cabinet\nVII, which had only been inaugurated by President Suharto four days\nearlier. But the decision was not made in isolation. One by one, other\nministers stated a similar stance.<\/p>\n
That day, 14 ministers agreed to withdraw. They were Akbar Tandjung,\nA.M. Hendropriyono, Giri Suseno Hadihardjono, Haryanto Dhanutirto,\nGinandjar Kartasasmita, Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, Justika Baharsjah,\nRachmadil Bambang Sumadhijo, Rahardi Ramelan, Subiakto Tjarawerdaya,\nSanyoto Sastrowardoyo, Sumahadi, Theo L. Sambuaga, and Tanri Abeng.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement, they said the formation of a new cabinet would\nnot resolve the root causes of the crisis. The statement dealt a severe\nblow to Soeharto, not only administratively but also symbolically. That\nis, the trust of the economic elite in his leadership had collapsed.<\/p>\n
Historian Robert Edward Elson, in Soeharto: A Political Biography\n(2017), notes that Soeharto was shocked and struck. The ministers\u2019\nactions were outside the power scenario he had set up. In fact, Soeharto\nstill planned to announce the Reform Cabinet on 21 May 1998 as an effort\nto salvage legitimacy.<\/p>\n
Efforts to deter the mass resignation were also made. Vice President\nB.J. Habibie, in Detik-detik yang Menentukan (2006), revealed that he\nhad urged the ministers to stay. But the decision was already made.<\/p>\n
Losing the support of key ministers and political elites, Soeharto\nultimately chose to end his rule. On 21 May 1998, a day after the mass\nresignation, Soeharto announced his resignation as President of the\nRepublic of Indonesia.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/when-14-indonesian-economy-ministers-resigned-en-masse-1772997349", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }