Jakarta. Newly-appointed Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has quickly become a public favorite since replacing Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Sept. 8. Known for his relaxed leadership style and candid communication, the former Deposit Insurance Agency (LPS) chief has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures on Indonesian social media.

Purbaya’s rising popularity and electability have surpassed those of several senior ministers and regional leaders actively building their public image, including West Java politician Dedi Mulyadi. His growing prominence has not gone unnoticed by political parties, among them the National Mandate Party (PAN), which has expressed open interest in recruiting him.

PAN, led by Chief Food Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan, has long been known for its pragmatic approach, often enlisting public figures and celebrities to boost voter appeal, a strategy that has earned it the nickname “National Celebrities’ Party." But despite the attention, Purbaya made it clear that he has no interest in entering politics and wants to focus solely on steering Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

“I’m not interested in politics. I just want to work,” Purbaya told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Asked about his soaring electability since taking office, Purbaya declined to comment further, saying his focus remains on carrying out President Prabowo Subianto’s economic agenda. “I’m not interested in politics,” he reiterated.

PAN Deputy Chairman Eddy Soeparno acknowledged that Purbaya’s popularity makes him an attractive potential recruit but questioned whether he would be willing to make the leap from technocrat to politician.

“It would certainly be interesting if PAN were to endorse Mr. Purbaya. But the question is, would he be willing? That’s not certain,” Eddy told reporters at the parliament complex in Jakarta.

Eddy described Purbaya as a “pure technocrat” who has long been focused on fiscal and financial policy, adding that popularity alone is insufficient without strong economic performance. “The public is now waiting for his concrete steps to drive economic growth toward President Prabowo’s target of 8 percent by 2028,” he said.

A recent survey by Index Politica placed Purbaya at the top of the list of potential vice-presidential candidates with an electability rating of 28.65 percent. He was followed by Dedi Mulyadi (20.15 percent), Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (15.75 percent), and Gibran Rakabuming Raka (12.35 percent).

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