Budi Arie Setiadi officially accepts position as new minister
Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Budi Arie Setiadi officially accepted his new position as Communication and Informatics Minister from Mahfud MD, the acting communication and informatics minister, at the ministry’s office here on Monday.
He was serving as Deputy Minister for Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration.
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Setiadi expressed his readiness to carry out his new duties amid several challenges faced by the ministry.
“This is not a new place, a platform for me, particularly this communication and informatics matter. Indeed, like what Mr. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Mahfud MD) said earlier, the challenges are so difficult. Yet, we must stay optimistic and work fast,” he stated at the swearing-in event.
He replaces the previous Communication and Informatics Minister, Johnny G. Plate, who was involved in the corruption case on 4G base transceiver station towers projects.
Setiadi noted that the ministry he currently leads faces at least four challenges that should be addressed, ranging from digital infrastructure coverage, disciplining platforms that raise concerns among people, developing a digital ecosystem, and promoting a peaceful 2024 general election.
He is optimistic about being able to lead the ministry to fulfill President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi’s) goal of an advanced Indonesia.
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“Us together with Mrs. Secretary General and Director Generals, hopefully, this Communication and Informatics Ministry can become one of the ministries (you) can be proud of, painting a good legacy of Mr Jokowi’s government,” he remarked.
On the occasion, Mahfud congratulated Setiadi for his new position as well as Nezar Patria, who is appointed as the new Deputy Minister for Communication and Informatics.
“And the appointment of a person whom I think is right and has the time for this; such is because the task is for ministerial (matters) and then assisted by a deputy minister, who comes from among the professionals,” he affirmed.
On Monday, President Jokowi inducted Setiadi as Communication and Informatics Minister, replacing Plate. The decision is outlined in Presidential Decree Number 62 P of 2023 on the Communication and Informatics Ministry of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet of 2019-2024, dated July 14, 2023.