Jakarta. The government recently defended its decision to have two deputy finance ministers following the inauguration of Thomas Djiwandono, the nephew to President-Elect Prabowo Subianto.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recently appointed Thomas as the second deputy finance minister. He will join fellow deputy finance minister Suahasil Nazara. Both will work under Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. According to State Secretary Pratikno, there is a presidential regulation regarding the deputy minister position, although it does not say how many people should fill the spot. 

Pratikno added that having more than one deputy minister was also not something new. Installing Thomas in the Finance Ministry is also necessary as Prabowo is set to replace the incumbent Jokowi this October. Thomas will be in charge of the budget planning for how much should the government spend next year. This includes the allocated budget for Prabowo’s flagship program of feeding schoolchildren across the archipelago free school meals.

“This is part of ensuring continuity [of the government's programs]. Mr. Suahasil is in charge of the 2024 state budget, while Mr. Thomas will work on preparing the 2025 state budget plan,” Pratikno told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.

He added: “Of course, we would be able to better plan [the 2025 state budget] with Mr. Thomas working under Mrs. Sri Mulyani.”

The press also asked Pratikno whether Thomas would be the finance minister once Prabowo rises to power. “That is another matter. He will only be the deputy finance minister until October,” Pratikno said.

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