Former Bukalapak CEO Becomes Advisor to Minister Luhut

TheIndonesia.id - Former Chief Executive Officer of Bukalapak, Rachmat Kaimuddin, officially joined the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) as a Technology & Sustainability Development Special Advisor.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said at an online press conference in Jakarta, Monday, January 3, 2022, that Rachmat Kaimuddin recruiting had been discussed for the past few months.

"It is true that Mr. Rachmat Kaimuddin will join the extended family of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia as a Technology & Sustainability Development Special Advisor who will provide reports and input to me personally as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments," he said as reported by Antara.

Luhut said Rachmat Kaimuddin's presence is a form of the government's commitment to provide benefits as well as encourage major transformations, especially in the field of development and technology in Indonesia. This position is in line with Rachmat Kaimuddin's experience and achievements.

"Mr. Rachmat's experience as a leader with experience in various industries and sectors, including in technology and sustainable development is an important point so that he is worthy of this new position," said Luhut.

Before accepting the position under Luhut's leadership, Rachmat was the CEO of PT Bukalapak.com Tbk, which succeeded in bringing the company to become the first unicorn to be listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).

Luhut admitted that he had known Rachmat since he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University, California, United States, after completing his high school education at Taruna Nusantara, Magelang. According to Luhut, his educational background and solid professional work experience in key fields make him indispensable at this time.

"I hope that Mr. Rachmat will soon produce his thoughts to make us better in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, Rachmat Kaimuddin expressed his respect for being invited to assist the country. "This is something that I could imagine since I was a child to work for the country. I hope that I can work well and can also give my energy and thoughts for the good of all of us," said Rachmat.

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan invited leaders of successful start-ups to join and devote themselves to the country. Previously founder of Gojek which is also a unicorn has joined the government to become the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.

"I also invite friends of Rachmat's, for those of you who also want to join the government, contribute your thoughts. You are heroes who, in my opinion, bring change for this country, become agents of change," he said.

Luhut expressed his appreciation to Rachmat Kaimuddin who dared to leave the comfort of the private sector and chose the path of devoting himself to the country especially from a financial point of view. "Yes, you know how things are in government. But when I interviewed him, he said he was ready because he wanted to devote himself to government as well," he said.

Luhut also hopes that Rachmat Kaimuddin will soon provide the best input for Indonesia. Although Luhut did not disclose the projects that Rachmat Kaimuddin will assist, Luhut mentioned the green industrial area project in North Kalimantan (Kaltara) as one of the projects that need attention.