Burhanuddin Abdullah Sworn In as Governor of Bank Indonesia

Burhanuddin Abdullah Sworn In as Governor of Bank Indonesia

On Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at about 14.00 hours Jakarta Time, Ir. Burhanuddin Abdullah M.A. was sworn in as Governor of Bank Indonesia by Indonesia’s Chief Justice Prof. Dr. Bagir Manan, following the appointment of Ir. Burhanuddin Abdullah M.A. in Presidential Decree No. 61/M of 2003 dated May 17, 2003, for the 2003-2008 term of office. The swearing in ceremony, marked by the reciting of the oath of office and was witnessed by ministers from the Cabinet’s economic team, former Governors of Bank Indonesia, members of the Indonesian Parliament, senior officials, and other dignitaries, took place at the Supreme Court Building, Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara, Jakarta.

Shortly after at about 16.00 hours in the Bank Indonesia conference room on the third floor of Building B, a ceremony was held for the formal handing over of the position of Governor of Bank Indonesia from Syahril Sabirin to Burhanuddin Abdullah. During the solemn proceedings, a speaker read out Presidential Decree No. 61/M of 2003 dated May 17, 2003, concerning the appointment of Ir. Burhanuddin Abdullah M.A. as Governor of Bank Indonesia and the end of the term of office of Sjahril Sabirin S.E., M.A., Ph.D as Governor of Bank Indonesia, also thanking the former Governor in the highest terms for his services.

In his address, Syahril Sabirin expressed his sincere gratitude to all who in so many ways had contributed their help and support during his term as Governor. “In addition, during the time that I was facing enormous pressures, Bank Indonesia employees, retirees, public figures, and others came forward in such large numbers in a spirit of spontaneity and sincerity with their prayers for the well being of myself and my family. Their help and goodwill I will never forget,” he said during his speech.

Following this, Governor of Bank Indonesia Burhanuddin Abdullah delivered an address emphasizing that the ultimate goal to be reached is a commitment that the Governor, the Board of Governors, Bank Indonesia employees at all levels, and Bank Indonesia as an institution are none other than bearers of public office and that the institution, its people, and their full attention must serve the public interest. Accordingly, all policies must be based on the interests of achieving the long-term goal of the public, that of equity in prosperity. It is thus extremely important for this precept to be understood and internalized by all, because by holding firmly to this principle Bank Indonesia will devote its full energies to providing products of excellence for the public, striving to understand the public and the needs of the public in all its forms and not acting to contrary as an institution seeking to be understood by the people.