Tributes pour in for long-time Indonesian finance minister booted from Cabinet

Tributes, tears and words of appreciation flowed in for veteran technocrat Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Sept 9, a day after an abrupt Cabinet reshuffle in Indonesia that resulted in the ouster of five ministers.

- Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

JAKARTA - Tributes, tears and words of appreciation flowed in for veteran technocrat Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Sept 9, a day after an abrupt Cabinet reshuffle in Indonesia that resulted in the ouster of five ministers.

After serving as finance minister for more than a decade under three presidents, Dr Sri Mulyani's sudden removal came in the wake of violent protests and the looting of lawmakers' homes, including hers.

Notable figures took to various platforms to praise the impact and reputation the 63-year-old had in the global finance arena.

Some lauded Dr Sri Mulyani as a "disciplined guardian of the state budget", while others described her exit from Cabinet as a "credibility shock".

One scene in particular that tugged at heartstrings took place at the lobby of the Finance Ministry building in Jakarta, where hundreds of officials gathered around noon, waving flowers and singing a popular Indonesian song, Language Of The Heart.

"In your smile, I can hear the language of your heart... Only I truly understand the restlessness of your soul," the song went.

And as the officials reached the final stanzas, they took turns presenting their flowers to Dr Sri Mulyani, who teared up as she thanked them.

On Sept 9, she officially handed over her role to seasoned economist Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.

Among those removed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Sept 8 were the coordinating minister for politics and security, and the minister of migrant workers' protection.