To Avoid Hypocrisy and Infidelity, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa Should Resign
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Like the rhythm of music, when one is no longer in tune with the other, one must give in and set aside so as not to disrupt the orchestra, a symphony that must be harmonious and complement each other in a unified performance. This is the case with the presence of Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa in President Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Cabinet, which has received full public support to uncover the contents of Pandora’s box, which has long been hiding a number of ghosts and demons that many people call corruptors, thieves, or people’s money-grubbing through various means, such as in a number of projects that have raised many questions—not only about their benefits but also about the amount of funds siphoned off, such as the IKN (Nusantara Capital City) project and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (KCJB) project, which is currently the subject of much discussion, as if competing with the issue of fake diplomas that has not yet been completed.
The controversy surrounding President Prabowo Subianto’s claim that the KCJB would be repaid—even though the Minister of Finance had previously stated that he would not pay the KCJB debt with state funds—has left many stunned and shocked. Not only has the President’s policy contradicted the Minister’s previous statement, but many have begun to withdraw their support for the government and urge the Minister to resign immediately, reassuring him that his presence in the Red and White Cabinet is dedicated to serving the people, as he has stated on numerous occasions.
As a staunch believer in religion—as he once stated that “success is going to heaven when you die,” it is truly convincing that Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa fully understands that human dignity is marked by good deeds and those that benefit others—especially the people—and he must have a clear understanding of this and embody it in his role, duties, and obligations as a public servant, to fight for the people’s interests.
In relation to the KCJB issue, which has garnered widespread public attention due to the project’s development process and its enormous budget, and the Minister of Finance’s refusal to pay the KCJB debt burden—because it cannot use funds from the state budget, which are earned through the sweat of the people—Prabowo Subianto suddenly announced his willingness to pay the KCJB debt of Rp 1.2 trillion per year for the next 40 years.
The issue of paying the KCJB debt might not be a problem if the funds to pay it came from Prabowo Subianto’s personal pocket. However, many people’s perception—because of Prabowo Subianto’s statement as President—has automatically led to the perception that the money to pay the KCJB debt will drain the existing state budget.
Based on this assumption, the best advice to Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa would be to wisely and elegantly resign. Because only then will the appreciation and respect of the community be maintained, and trust in a sincere and genuine intention to dedicate oneself to the remainder of one’s life, so that one will be free from flaws and blemishes, as the ideal belief suggests, upon death, one will enter heaven.
Purbaya’s definition of success: “Die and Go to Heaven” means that spiritual values—which detail the ethics, morals, and noble character of humankind—imply Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa’s awareness that enjoining good and forbidding evil has become a guideline and a prerequisite for entering heaven after death. Good deeds and efforts to prevent evil are not only for oneself but also for others. This includes those who deceitfully drain state funds through various projects engineered to gain profit, rather than maximize their benefit and utility for the people. Consequently, many projects stall. Even after completion, the buildings constructed or constructed have no apparent benefit or utility for the people. For example, several airports in various regions are virtually useless because they do not prioritize the urgent needs and interests of the people.
Therefore, the best advice for Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa is to immediately reinstate him as Minister of Finance. After all, if it’s just to get a job, it’s not a difficult matter given his existing expertise and professional qualities. Furthermore, given his reputation and wealth, it’s impossible for him to be the poorest person in Indonesia. So, to avoid hypocrisy and infidelity, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa should resign. Because words must be aligned with actions. Then what’s the point of words if others no longer trust them, including our own commanders and leaders who no longer respect our opinions and attitudes.We must speak honestly and truthfully, in accordance with our beliefs and convictions—as part of our expression of faith—as dignified human beings. President Soeharto’s old saying, when he stepped down from the throne in 1998, was “ora pate’en ora dadi Presiden.” He resigned gracefully. President Soeharto’s exemplary conduct is worthy of remembering and serving as a lesson in national values that can be passed on to our children and grandchildren.**
Banten, November 8, 2025
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