Purbaya Admits Frustration at Being Removed as Finance Minister

Former Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed his personal feelings after officially being removed from his post on Monday (14/9). Purbaya admitted he felt frustrated and had difficulty sleeping following the announcement of the leadership change at the Finance Ministry.

“Hopefully that’s how it will be going forward. Yesterday I still couldn’t sleep, and I was still annoyed. But now it’s considerably better,” said Purbaya when met at the Finance Ministry office in Jakarta on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

Purbaya openly acknowledged that his frustration was a natural human reaction. Nevertheless, he stressed that he continues to respect and accept the decision as the President’s prerogative.

“Yes, there was (frustration), after all I’m only human,” he said briefly when asked about his feelings regarding the dismissal.

Purbaya explained that he had no strong premonition of a cabinet reshuffle before the decision was announced. However, as a public official, he said he had already factored in every possible outcome.

“There was no such feeling, but my own calculation was that there was something with perhaps a 50-50 chance. But after that, it is the President’s prerogative,” he explained. He added that confirmation of his dismissal only came on Monday via a phone call from the Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi.

In fact, around an hour before the inauguration of the new Finance Minister, Purbaya was still observed carrying out his official duties as normal. He led a joint meeting with the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, which discussed crucial issues concerning the state budget (APBN) and the Transfer to Regions (TKD) allocation.

On Tuesday (15/9/2026), Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa formally handed over his post to Suahasil Nazara. With this ceremony, Suahasil officially continues the leadership baton at the Finance Ministry in the Red-and-White Cabinet.

Purbaya closed his remarks by saying that although he was taken aback by the sudden timing of the notification, he has let go of the position. “Well, we had already estimated it was roughly 50-50. But we were only informed at that time,” he concluded.