Bahlil Lahadalia's Smooth Path in Jokowi's Government: From Supporter to Minister

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has officially inaugurated Bahlil Lahadalia as the new Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), replacing Arifin Tasrif. Bahlil previously served as Minister of Investment and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). Alongside Bahlil, Jokowi also inaugurated two other new ministers and a deputy minister on Monday (19/8). Supratman Andi Agtas was appointed as Minister of Law and Human Rights, Rosan Roeslani as Minister of Investment, and Angga Raka Prabowo as Deputy Minister of Communication.

Bahlil Lahadalia’s journey into government has been notably smooth. During Jokowi’s second term, he has now held two different ministerial positions. Born in Maluku on 7 August 1976, Bahlil is a businessman who previously served as Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (BPP HIPMI) for the 2015–2019 period. During the 2019 presidential election, Bahlil declared his support for the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin ticket. He was subsequently entrusted with the role of Director of the Young Voter Directorate for the campaign team, Tim Kampanye Nasional Koalisi Indonesia Berkarya. His support proved fruitful as Jokowi secured a second term. Following the election, he was appointed Head of the Investment Coordinating Board on 23 October 2019, replacing Thomas Lembong. He was then inaugurated as Indonesia’s first Minister of Investment on 28 April 2021, following the establishment of the new ministry. His tenure as Minister of Investment concluded on 19 August 2024, when he was officially inaugurated as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, marking another chapter of trust placed in him by President Jokowi.