Indonesia's Finance Minister Denied Entry to Palace Over Switch to Old Kijang for Official Car

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Finance Minister from the New Order era, Mar’ie Muhammad, was nicknamed ‘Mr. Clean’. History records that Mar’ie voluntarily chose to use his old personal car instead of the government official vehicle.

In fact, that decision once prevented him from entering the State Palace because he was thought not to be an official. What is the story?

The incident occurred in 1996. At that time, Mar’ie was scheduled to receive the Mahaputra Star from President Soeharto.

While ministers typically arrive in luxury cars with drivers, Mar’ie chose to come with his wife in an old 1980s Kijang. That car was his personal property, not an official vehicle.

Upon arriving at the State Palace gate, his car was stopped by security personnel who did not realise that the passengers were the Finance Minister. The guards thought the couple were just ordinary guests because their vehicle looked old.

However, after Mar’ie showed his identification and explained the purpose of his visit, the officers hurriedly apologised and allowed them entry.

In his autobiography titled Mr. Clean Marie Muhammad (2025), that action was not coincidental. Mar’ie indeed adhered to the principle that official vehicles should only be used for official business, not personal matters.

‘Official vehicles must be used for work purposes, not personal ones,’ he once stated.

Mar’ie’s fondness for using old cars was not without reason. He was known for not liking to replace items as long as they were still functioning well. According to his child, his father believed that efficiency was more important than prestige.

‘For example, with a car, whether it costs Rp500 million or Rp100 million, it’s the same, right? Like watches and shoes, if they’re not broken, keep using them,’ his child revealed.

Mar’ie’s simplicity was not for show, but a reflection of the life values he held, namely cleanliness, honesty, and firmness. Those principles were also evident in his performance as a state official.

While serving as Director General of Taxation, he successfully exceeded the tax revenue target from Rp9 trillion to Rp19 trillion. Meanwhile, when trusted as Finance Minister, Mar’ie managed to maintain budget balance and delay the economic crisis through careful and prudent fiscal policies.

For those achievements, Asiamoney magazine named him Asia’s Best Finance Minister in 1995. Mar’ie himself retired as the nation’s treasurer in 1998. Afterwards, he devoted himself to humanitarian work and anti-corruption efforts until his death on 11 December 2016.