Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Reports on the appointment of Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati as a World Bank managing director drew various comments on Wednesday with some praising and others lamenting it.

A politician from the ruling Democrat Party, Meilizar Latif, said it would be a loss for Indonesia. "We lose because she is one of the nation`s best assets. Even President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called her one of the state`s best daughters," she said to ANTARA News in Medan.

A political observer from North Sumatra University, Warjo MA, however said in Medan that Indonesia must be proud with her appointment as it would promote the country`s image in the world. "This proves that Indonesia also possesses top human resources," he said.

Mulyani`s appointment came while the Century Bank bailout case involving her is not yet settled.

In view of that House of Representatives Commission III deputy chairman Azis Syamsuddin from the Golkar Party faction stated that Sri Mulyani`s examination in connection with the case, now being dealt with by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), should continue.

"Remember the process of law ignores one`s position. Therefore I believe and will continue to push for the continuation of the legal process of her case," he said.

An economic observer in North Sumatra, Jhon Tafbu Ritonga, said in Medan Mulyani`s appointment would affect positively on Indonesia while it would also serve as a lesson for legislators that seemed to have given no appreciation to her with their boycott move and call for her resignation so far.

He said most national as well as international academics believed Sri Mulyani would be able to carry out her new task as her capability has already been recognized.
"With her resignation the President must be able to get a person of her quality to replace her," he said.

Bambang Soesatyo, a member of the House of Representatives` team monitoring the handling of the Century Bank case, saw Mulyani`s resignation as the best political exit. However he said that the process of her case would not stop following her appointment.

Ikhsan Modjo, an economic observer from Indef, shared Bambang`s view that Mulyani`s resignation would be the best exit strategy. "The pressures she has been facing for the past few months makes her resignation the best exit strategy," he said.

Erwin Aksa, the general chairman of the Indonesian Young Enterpreneurs expressed the hope that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would immediately appoint a new finance minister to replace Mulyani.

"We are proud an Indonesian citizen has been appointed a World Bank director," he said here. He said businessmen in the country had seen Mulyani`s hard work that had successfully boosted Indonesia`s economy.

The general chairman of the Association of Indonesian Shoe Makers (Aprisindo), Eddy Widjanarko, expressed regret over Mulyani`s appointment as a World Bank executive and asked the President to replace her with some body with same level of competence.

"It is saddening to see the best finance minister leave Indonesia," he said.

An economist from BNI bank, Ryan Kiryanto, meanwhile said Sri Mulyani`s appointment to the World Bank post showed the international community`s confidence in Indonesia. "I think this shows the international community`s big trust in the finance minister as well as Indonesia," he said.

A parliament member, Andi Rahmad, said here on Wednesday he believed Mulyani`s resignation would not disrupt the country`s economy.

Aviliani, another economic observer, shared his view saying her resignation would not significantly affect the country economy in the long term . However, she also called on the head of the state to immediately appoint her replacement to give certainty to the market.

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed Sri Mulyani`s appointment to a World Bank directorship as the best solution to the country`s problem so far. Its deputy general chairman, Haryadi B Sukamdani, said Mulyani`s involvement in the Bank Century case had made her unable to work optimally and therefore "her appointment as a World Bank managing director will be the best solution."

The chairman of the country`s Regional Representatives Council, Irman Gusman praised Mulyani`s appointment as a World Bank director saying it was an honor. Her resignation from the post of finance minister to become a World Bank director shows her high intergrity, he said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has approved her appointment but he still has yet to named her replacement.(*)

Editor: Heru

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