Jakarta. Ex-Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said Tuesday that she appreciated all the constructive criticisms that she has received all this time, while also telling the public to respect her privacy as she bade adieu to the government.

The seasoned economist recently stepped down from her ministerial role in a cabinet shake-up that took place on Monday. She officially passed on the baton to Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who used to lead the Indonesian Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), in a handover ceremony in Jakarta on Tuesday. In her final speech, Sri Mulyani -- donning a dusty pink traditional attire --  thanked President Prabowo Subianto for entrusting her with the job. 

“Also thank you to everyone whose name I cannot say one by one for the teamwork, support, help, input, criticisms, especially constructive ones, to myself and the ministry. [All this] has helped us to continue improving our policymaking,” Sri Mulyani said.

She went on to say how “nobody is perfect” before ending her speech with an apology and a request to respect her personal space.

“Starting from now, please respect our privacy or my private space as an ordinary citizen,” the former World Bank managing director said.

Sri Mulyani had assumed the ministerial role for around 13 and 6 months. This made the 63-year-old Indonesia’s second-longest serving finance minister after Ali Wardhana. Ali was Indonesia’s finance chief between 1973 and 1983. Sri Mulyani had served under three presidents: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, and finally, Prabowo. Sri Mulyani became a target of anger in the nationwide protests over economic inequality, even having her house looted by rioters. 

Purbaya spoke highly of her predecessor at the handover ceremony. 

“Under her leadership, the Finance Ministry was able to maintain Indonesia’s fiscal stability amidst the global dynamics,” the freshly appointed minister said.

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