Jakarta. Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto on Monday threw his support behind Destry Damayanti's nomination as the sole candidate for Bank Indonesia governor, saying her long experience at the central bank would ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Airlangga also expressed confidence that Bank Indonesia's independence would be preserved under Destry, who currently serves as senior deputy governor.

"The current candidate comes from within BI, so she will not change BI's independence," Airlangga told reporters in Jakarta.

"Mrs. Destry has served as senior deputy governor for more than one term. Communication has been good and she has been inside the institution for a long time. With a single candidate, we hope the House can proceed with the selection promptly," he added.

Destry, 62, is serving her second term as senior deputy governor, which is scheduled to expire on Aug. 7, 2029.

The presidential office previously announced that President Prabowo Subianto had nominated Destry as the sole candidate to lead the central bank following the surprise resignation of Governor Perry Warjiyo last month.

Under Indonesian law, the House of Representatives must decide whether to approve or reject the president's nominee within one month of receiving the nomination.

The Bank Indonesia governor serves a five-year term and may hold office for a maximum of two terms.

Trimegah Sekuritas Indonesia chief economist Fakhrul Fulvian also welcomed Destry's nomination, saying her appointment could preserve monetary policy continuity while preparing the central bank for increasingly rapid changes in the global economy.

Fakhrul stressed, however, that Bank Indonesia's independence must remain the foundation of its monetary policy credibility even as it coordinates with fiscal authorities and policymakers overseeing the financial and real sectors.

"Independence and coordination are not contradictory. Bank Indonesia must remain independent in making decisions in accordance with its mandate. At the same time, effective coordination will make each policy significantly more effective for the national economy," he said.

Fakhrul said the leadership transition should also provide an opportunity for Bank Indonesia to strengthen its research capacity as structural changes reshape the global economy.

He said the central bank should devote greater attention to artificial intelligence, productivity, shifts in industrial structures, geopolitics, digitalization, supply-chain resilience, demographic changes and the transformation of the financial system.

"I see Bank Indonesia already moving in that direction. Going forward, I hope this strategic research capacity will continue to be strengthened," Fakhrul said.

"A central bank must not only be able to explain what is happening today, but also anticipate the major changes that will shape the global economy in the years ahead."

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