J. B. Sumarlin

Johannes Baptista Sumarlin (born in Nglegok, Blitar, East Java, 7 December 1932) is an Indonesian economist and a former Minister of Finance.^[1] Sometimes linked with the so-called Berkeley Mafia group of economic advisers, Sumarlin held various important economics posts in the Indonesian government for many years until the late 1990s. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia (FEUI) in 1958. Positions held include, among others, Chairman of Supreme Audit Agency (Badan Pemeriksaan Keuangan, Minister of Finance, Chairman of the National Planning Agency (Bappenas), and Minister for Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform.

Early life

Sumarlin graduated with an M.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1960, and a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in 1968. Sumarlin's master's thesis was titled Some aspects of American and Indonesian fiscal and monetary policies a comparative study.^[2]

After graduating with an undergraduate degree (S1 in the Indonesian system) at the University of Indonesia in 1958, Sumarlin served as a teaching assistant for some years. In 1965 he was appointed as a lecturer in the FEUI, then as a professor in 1979. Previously, he had worked in an industrial company in Jakarta. During earlier political struggles, Sumarlin had worked as as a member of the Indonesian Red Cross, and as a recruit in the Indonesian army (Tentara Nasional Indonsia, or TNI) in East Java. For his service, in 1973 he received the Mahaputra Utama star, one of the highest honours awarded in Indonesia. Two years later he was awarded the Grand Cross in the Order of Leopold II of the Belgian government. In his private life, Sumarlin is a sports enthusiast and enjoys tennis and jogging. He is married to Th. Yostiana Soedarmi. Together they have had four children.

Sumarlin's slight build was associated with an incident that became well-known among his colleagues in Jakarta. Around 1969, during the early stage of the work of the New Order government of president Soeharto, in his position as Deputy Minister of the Indonesian National Planning Agency, Bappenas, Sumarlin was often required to accompany the Chair of Bappenas, Professor Widjojo Nitisastro, to Cabinet meetings. During one of the meetings at the National Palace, Cabinet Secretary Sudharmono is said to have casually gestured towards Sumarlin asking, "Who is the boy sitting there Widjojo?" Widjojo then introduced Sumarlin to the Cabinet Secretary. Sudharmono responded that, indeed, he recalled that Widjojo had mentioned that that he was recruiting a team to work with him in the National Planning Agency.

After the incident Sumarlin was reluctant to continue attending Cabinet meetings, knowing that attendance was usually severely limited and the names of participants needed to be notified to Cabinet Secretary Sudharmono beforehand. But Widjojo encouraged Sumarlin to continue attending. Widjojo's approved proved correct because, in time, Sumarlin became one of Soeharto's most trusted economics advisers.

While serving as Deputy of Bappenas, Sumarlin undertook intensive work as a member of Tim Completion Materials Guidelines, 1973, led by Sudharmono as the Secretary of the Cabinet. Every year in charge of preparing the preparation of Annex Sumarlin State Address delivered by Pak Harto each of August 16, in front of Parliament session, which is the annual report of the implementation of the Five-Year Plan.

Sumarlin was also active as a member of Team 1973 Completion of Manuscript Guidelines Sudharmono leaders, members of the Board of Trustees Daily Dharma Wanita leader Amirmachmud (Home Secretary), Vice Chairman of the Control of Goods / Equipment Sudharmono led government in 1980, or the day-to- today known as the Tim Decree 10, as well as Vice Chairman of the Grouper Materials Guidelines, 1978, 1983, also led Sudharmono.

Serving

Economic Policy Center

Little man and always provide a soothing smile, and dedication has played a central role during the reign of New Order (Orba), particularly in the economic field. From 1970 to 1998, he was instrumental in the center of economic policy and finance. He's one of the architects of the Indonesian economy 'grew up' Widjojo and 'reliable' Pak Harto.

1970 to 1973, the Catholic Nglegok birth, Blitar, East Java, December 7, 1932, with the baptismal name 'Johannes Baptista Sumarlin', is already serving as Secretary Monetary Board. Previously, he had served even as Deputy Fiscal and Monetary Bappenas. During the next ten years (1973–1983), served Sumarlin Minister of State for Administrative Control (minister), concurrently Vice Chairman and Chairman of Bappenas Opstib. Later, he served as the State Minister for National Development Planning (Minister VAT) concurrently Chairman of Bappenas in 1983–1988. On the sidelines of that period he was appointed interim Minister of Finance and Minister of Education & Culture ad interim, replacing Prof. Dr. Nugroho Notosusanto who died in 1985.

In the Fifth Development Cabinet, March 21, 1998 – March 17, 1993, Sumarlin served as Minister of Finance. After that, before the fall of the regime New Order, Sumarlin entrusted to lead the state institutions, as Chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency (CPC). He's one of the architects of the founding figures Indonesian economy with other economies, such as Widjojo Nitisastro, Emil Salim and Ali Wardhana. They were dubbed the "Berkeley Mafia". A nickname that comes from the makers and decision-makers in the field of economics regimes it is a doctoral graduate of the universities of environmental Berkeley, USA.

Career

References

External links

• (in Indonesian) Profil@TokohIndonesia.com