Sri Mulyani Potential Candidate for VP

Surabaya, (Antaranews Sumbar) - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati is a potential candidate for Vice President, a running mate of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who seeks reelection next year, an economic observer said. Asmirin Noor, an economic lecturer at the Mahardika Economics High Institute (STIE) in Surabaya, said the world's best finance minister is a potential candidate if Jokowi has enough self confidence in picking his own running mate. "However, if the president is considering the opinions of the political parties supporting him, a politician could be more potential," Asmirin said speaking at a ceremony analyzing Jokowinomic Book here on Wednesday. Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Sunday (Feb 11) received the Best Minister Award at the World Government Summit held in Dubai. It was presented to Dr Sri Mulyani by Dubai Emir Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Asmirin said her performance as the world's best finance minister and proven skills in maintaining the country's economic stability make Sri Mulyani more potential. The country's economy is expected to be healthier in the coming year if she is still around in charge of economic development, he said. He said Jokowi could choose his running mate from among his aides or accept external candidate proposed by the coalition parties supporting his re-election bid. He said actually Jokowi is politically quite powerful, therefore, he could safely pick the best from among his internal circle for vice presidential running mate such as Sri Mulyani. Meanwhile commentators were mixed on the massive infrastructure program launched by President Joko Widodo as mentioned in the Jokowinomic Book, written by a team of a national mass media saying the infrastructure program has positive as well as negative sides. One commentator President Director PT Pelindo Marine Service Putut Sri Muljanto said the program is positive with toll roads facilitate access and contribute to economic development in wider areas. Operating Director of PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah of East Java (Bank Jatim), Rudie Hardiono, said though not equitably benefit the people , the program has given a boost to regional economy. The Chief Editor of Bisnis Indonesia Hery Trianto, who opened ceremony said the Jokowinomics Book is written on the idea of a team of editors, describing how President Jokowi has worked. "The book described Jokowi and his team as pragmatic personality, tactical, and practical. Our president, who was once a businessman, could make a decision on gains and losses," Hery said. Jokowi, he said, does not make political calculation in performing his duty such as in building roads in Papua, and other frontier areas. Winning the sympathy of the people in scarcely populated Papua and frontier areas does not help much politically in his bid for reelection, observers have said. Hery said Jokowi is lucky as his ministers such as Marine and Fisheries Minister, Finance Minister and Public Works and Housing Minister, support his leadership style. (*)