Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto has picked seasoned economist Destry Damayanti as the sole candidate to lead Bank Indonesia (BI).

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed the appointment to the press on Monday. Destry is currently the central bank’s interim chief following the resignation of former boss Perry Warjiyo about two weeks ago. Prasetyo also said that Prabowo had informed the House of Representatives of his choice. The appointment of a definitive government is subject to the lawmakers’ approval.

“There is only one nominee for [the BI governor candidate], and that’s Mrs. Destry Damayanti,” Prasetyo said at the presidential palace in Jakarta.

The aforementioned letter is expected to include the nominee for BI’s senior deputy governor, namely Destry’s previous role. Prabowo had recently made a joke of nominating Destry as Perry’s permanent successor, but admitted that such a decision would be “up to the House”. 

When the government announced Perry’s resignation, analysts were largely approving of Destry. Kiwoom Sekuritas research head Liza Camelia Suryanata even described Destry as the “most natural figure to lead BI through the transition”. Prasetyo’s latest remarks also ultimately dismissed market concerns over Thomas Djiwandono — Prabowo’s nephew — claiming the top BI job, as this could put the bank’s independence at risk. Thomas is now a BI deputy governor, but has worked for the central bank for only about 6 months. Destry has had decades of experience in banking, financial regulation, and monetary policy.

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