Susi Pudjiastuti Appointed as Chair of Bank BJB's Board of Commissioners, Dedi Mulyadi References "Queen of the Southern Seas"

The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGMS) of PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat dan Banten Tbk (Bank BJB) appointed former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti as the new independent Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Ayi Subarna as President Director.

The meeting, held at Gedung Pakuan in Bandung on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, featured strategic decisions including Susi’s appointment as Chair, alongside other measures taken by the bank with the stock code BJBR, such as appointing the Head of the West Java BPK, Eydu Oktain Panjaitan, as an Independent Commissioner of BJB.

For the executive leadership positions, shareholders agreed to appoint Ayi Subarna as President Director of Bank BJB. Ayi, who previously served as Director of Operations and Information Technology, officially fills the position vacated by the late Yusuf Saadudin, who passed away in November 2025.

Following the AGMS, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi commented on the new leadership structure of BJB, stating that as the holder of the mandate for the largest shares, he wants the financial sector to be managed by figures with integrity, ultimately leading to progress for BJB itself.

“Integrity for financial managers. I strongly believe that Mrs Susi has integrity as the Chair of the Board of Commissioners. Hopefully, with this new structure, we will create a credible bank posture, not just existing as a regional development bank, but one that is favoured outside of regional government interests across all regions of Indonesia,” said Dedi at Gedung Pakuan.

Dedi revealed that Susi, whom he referred to as the Queen of the Southern Seas, initially refused to join BJB, but he managed to persuade the businesswoman to get involved.

“Yes, although the Queen of the Southern Seas is fierce, her fierceness is in the sea, but in the forest, she would submit to Prabu Siliwangi,” he said.

In addition to the commissioners and the President Director, Dedi stated that the new board of directors was also appointed from internal ranks based on their career progression at BJB. He explained the reasons for selecting directors from within.

“I see them as good people, and I encourage them to advance their careers well, managing a bank that has a good emotional level. We have experience when coming from outside, with external connectivity, it even turns us into a bank that is disadvantaged,” he said.