New Chief Economic Minister to Prioritize Fizcal Security

Jakarta (Antara) - New chief economic minister Chairul Tanjung said he will prioritize three issues in the remaining six-month period of the current government. "The first priority is securing our fiscal conditions by increasing income and controlling spending," he said after his inauguration as the coordinating minister for economic affairs at the presidential palace here on Monday. Chairul Tanjung will replace Hatta Rajasa, who had resigned to participate in the presidential election scheduled on July 9. The second priority is maintaining price stability, especially of food prices before the fasting month of Ramadhan, he said. He added that he will also improve communication and relationship between central and regional governments, which is his third priority, to boost economic growth. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will end his second term in October and will be replaced by a new president whose election is scheduled on July 9. Two candidates have been confirmed to compete for the presidential post, Jakarta governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and former military leader Prabowo Subianto. Jokowi has named former vice president Jusuf Kalla as his running mate, while Prabowo Subianto has chosen Hatta Rajasa. (*) Reporting by Muhammad Arief Iskandar