Chatib Basri Denies Being Offered Finance Minister Post

Senior economist and member of the National Economic Council (DEN), Chatib Basri, has denied rumours that he was offered the post of Finance Minister after meeting President Prabowo Subianto. He explained that his meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace complex today, Tuesday, 9 June 2026, was to discuss the economy. “There was no (offer to become Finance Minister). We discussed the economy,” Chatib told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex in Central Jakarta. Chatib explained that he was in a forum together with the DEN to discuss economic conditions with Prabowo. However, when asked about the DEN’s input regarding the weakening of the rupiah, he did not elaborate further. “It was already conveyed in there. Thank you,” he said. Former Finance Minister Chatib Basri was seen arriving at the Presidential Palace complex around 3.35 p.m. WIB wearing a yellow shirt. His arrival at the Palace coincided with the arrival of the Chairman of the National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Chatib confirmed his visit to the Palace was to meet President Prabowo Subianto. When asked what he would discuss with the President, Chatib asked the media to direct questions to Luhut. Chatib also declined to answer when his name was widely mentioned as a candidate for Finance Minister to replace Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.