Joko picks 7 youths as presidential expert staff
Aged between 23 and 36, the group joins five other expert members who served the president during his first term.
Among the new expert staff members are education technology start-up Ruangguru’s chief executive officer and founder Adamas Belva Syah Devara, Amartha Fintech founder Andi Taufan Garuda Putra and Creativepreneur chief executive officer
JAKARTA: Seven young individuals were appointed as new members of the Indonesian presidential expert staff.
The seven are tasked with brainstorming fresh and innovative ideas to develop the country in various sectors for President Joko Widodo, according to The
Jakarta Post. Putri Tanjung.
Others are Sabang Merauke co-founder Ayu Kartika Dewi, Kitong Bisa chief executive officer Gracia Billy Mambrasar, social entrepreneur Angkie Yudistia and former Indonesian Islamic Students Movement chairman Aminuddin Maruf.
Putri is the youngest of the group at 23, and is also the daughter of media mogul Chairil Tanjung.
“I’m surprised that (she) is still 23 years old,” Joko said after introducing the other staff members at the Presidential Palace here on Thursday.
Joko also spoke of Billy, a 31-year-old native Papuan who won a scholarship and did his masters at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
Another expert member he elaborated on was Angkie, who is deaf and a well-known advocate for deaf people’s rights.
“I have asked Angkie to be my spokesperson in social affairs,” said Joko.
He said the young expert staff members would discuss issues and provide him with “fresh and innovative ideas, so we can find a new way to take a leap to reach for advancement”.
“They should also become the bridges between me and young
santri (Islamic boarding school students) and young diaspora in many places across the world.”
The five other members are academics Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Ari Dwipayana and Sukardi Rinakit, economist Arif Budimanta, Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI) chairman Diaz Hendropriyono and legal expert and Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI) politician Dini Shanti Purwono.
PKPI and PSI were among the political parties that supported Joko’s re-election bid in April.