Bahlil Lahadalia Sworn in as Minister of Investment in Today's History, 28 April 2021
JAKARTA – In today’s history, five years ago on 28 April 2021, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) swore in Bahlil Lahadalia as Minister of Investment. Jokowi hoped that Bahlil could bring a flood of investments into Indonesia. Bahlil was also believed to be capable of harmonising regional regulations related to investments to ensure uniformity.
Previously, Bahlil’s contributions as a successful entrepreneur were unquestionable. That track record led Jokowi to appoint him to head the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). Bahlil was considered adept at regulating investments to make them more evenly distributed.
Bahlil’s desire for success was evident from his childhood. He had forged himself into a hardworking individual. He once worked as a newspaper hawker and even as an angkot driver. Those professions enabled him to pursue his dream of higher education.
He managed to study at the Faculty of Economics, STIE Port Numbay, Jayapura, Papua. His university years shaped him into a critical thinker with extensive networks. That education then led him into business. In short, Bahlil emerged as a successful entrepreneur in Papua.
He made his mark in various business sectors – plantations, property, transportation, mining, and construction. Those ventures propelled Bahlil’s name onto the national stage. Bahlil then became Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (Hipmi) for the 2015-2019 period.
Bahlil’s prowess reached the ears of President Jokowi. Jokowi viewed Bahlil as capable of advancing the business world in Indonesia. Bahlil was also seen as able to ignite the investment climate in Indonesia. Jokowi then swore him in as head of BKPM in 2019.
The appointment sparked pros and cons. Supporters believed Bahlil had the capacity to smooth Indonesia’s investment climate. Critics argued there were more talented candidates available. However, the government continued to push for Bahlil’s inclusion in the administration.
“This means his (Bahlil’s) first task is to synchronise central and regional regulations. Does the figure (Bahlil) fit? He fits. For investments going abroad, there’s Mr Luhut. That’s truly out-of-the-box thinking from him (Jokowi),” stated the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, as quoted from kompas.com on 24 November 2019.
Bahlil’s tenure as BKPM head was brilliant. He utilised his experience to increase investments in the regions. Bahlil’s authority was then strengthened by President Jokowi with additional major responsibilities.
Jokowi then merged BKPM into the Ministry of Investment. This merger led Jokowi to entrust the position of Minister of Investment to Bahlil. President Jokowi swore in Bahlil as Minister of Investment at the State Palace on 28 April 2021.
The swearing-in ceremony raised high hopes from Jokowi for Bahlil. Bahlil not only received the task of fostering the domestic investment climate. He was also obligated to seek foreign investors to invest in Indonesia.
“By God, I swear that I will be loyal to the 1945 Constitution and will carry out the laws and regulations as straight as possible for the sake of my devotion to the nation and state. That in carrying out my duties and position, I will uphold the ethics of the office and work as best as possible with full responsibility,” Bahlil stated in his oath, as quoted from kompas.com on 28 April 2021.