Summoned by Prabowo to the Palace, Chatib Basri Denies Being Offered Finance Minister Post

Economist Chatib Basri has denied being offered the position of Finance Minister by President Prabowo Subianto during a meeting with the Head of State at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon. Following the meeting, Chatib explained that the discussion with President Prabowo concerned economic conditions and developments. “There was no offer to become Finance Minister. We discussed the economy,” said Chatib in response to journalists’ questions. Chatib also denied being in the same forum as Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during the meeting with the President. Chatib stressed that he met President Prabowo together with members of the National Economic Council (DEN), including DEN Chairman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. “The Health Minister? Oh, he wasn’t there. I was just with the DEN,” he said. Chatib Basri, who previously served as Finance Minister under Indonesia’s 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has been widely rumoured to become the new Finance Minister, replacing Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. Besides Chatib, the name of Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has also emerged in speculation about being shifted to the Finance Minister post. Previously, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated he would continue his tenure as state treasurer in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s direction. “We follow the President’s orders. So, the commitment is strong, keep moving forward. Even in retreat, we advance,” Purbaya joked during the APBN KiTa June 2026 Edition press conference in Jakarta on Friday (5/6). Purbaya questioned the origin of the rumours suggesting his resignation from the Finance Minister position. He assumed the issue was spread to influence market sentiment. However, he affirmed he is still carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the fiscal authority as usual. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi also confirmed there are no plans to replace the Finance Minister amid circulating issues regarding Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa’s possible resignation. Prasetyo said the government is currently focused on strengthening coordination among economic authorities to maintain stability and support national growth.