Widjojo Nitisastro
Encyclopedia
Widjojo Nitisastro is an Indonesia
n economist, born in Malang
in East Java
on 23 January 1927. He is one of Indonesia's most well-known and respected economic policy-makers, both within Indonesia and overseas.
in Jakarta
at the age of 34 in 1962. In the late 1960s, after the fall of president Sukarno
and the transition to the new government under president Suharto, he became one of Indonesia's most important economic policy-makers. He is generally considered to be the foremost member of the well-known 'Berkeley Mafia
' group of economists who became very influential in economic policy during the period of Suharto's 'New Order' government. Other members of the group, all senior Indonesian economists, were generally regarded to include Professor Ali Wardhana, Professor Moh. Sadli
, Professor Emil Salim
, and Professor Subroto.
Widjojo Nitisastro held ministerial rank in successive Indonesian cabinets for most of the 1970s until 1983. He continued to be influential as one of president's most trusted advisers throughout the rest of the 1980s. He worked closely with the president until Suharto resigned from office in 1998.
During his career in government, Widjojo was the head of many Indonesian delegations to numerous international meetings such as the Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI), the Paris Club
, and World Bank
and International Monetary Fund
(IMF) meetings. He was also a member of the South Commission (headed by president Julius Nyerere
) as well as numerous other international committees). In 2008, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Indonesia awarded Widjojo its most prestigious award, the Wirakarya Adhitama, for a lifetime of dedication and extraordinary achievements.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n economist, born in Malang
Malang
Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia. It has an ancient history dating back to the Mataram Kingdom. The city population at the 2010 Census was 819,708. During the period of Dutch colonization, it was a popular destination for European residents. The city is famous for...
in East Java
East Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
on 23 January 1927. He is one of Indonesia's most well-known and respected economic policy-makers, both within Indonesia and overseas.
Early career
Widjojo Nitisastro became a full professor of economics at the University of IndonesiaUniversity of Indonesia
The Universitas Indonesia, is a state, comprehensive world class university located in Depok, West Java and Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia. Universitas Indonesia is the oldest tertiary-level educational institution in Indonesia...
in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
at the age of 34 in 1962. In the late 1960s, after the fall of president Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
and the transition to the new government under president Suharto, he became one of Indonesia's most important economic policy-makers. He is generally considered to be the foremost member of the well-known 'Berkeley Mafia
Berkeley Mafia
The Berkeley Mafia was term given to a group of U.S.-educated Indonesian economists whose efforts brought Indonesia back from dire economic conditions and the brink of famine in the mid-1960s. They were appointed in the early stages of the 'New Order' administration. Almost three decades of...
' group of economists who became very influential in economic policy during the period of Suharto's 'New Order' government. Other members of the group, all senior Indonesian economists, were generally regarded to include Professor Ali Wardhana, Professor Moh. Sadli
Mohammad Sadli
Mohamad Sadli was a leading Indonesian policy-maker and economist.Sadli, as he was widely known as, was born in Sumedang, West Java. He first studied in the Hollandsch-Inlandsche School in Sumedang and Subang, and later moved to the Hogere Burger School in Semarang in Central Java...
, Professor Emil Salim
Emil Salim
Professor Dr Emil Salim, is an economist and former Minister of Indonesia. Born of Minangkabau parents, both from the village of Koto Gedang in West Sumatra...
, and Professor Subroto.
Widjojo Nitisastro held ministerial rank in successive Indonesian cabinets for most of the 1970s until 1983. He continued to be influential as one of president's most trusted advisers throughout the rest of the 1980s. He worked closely with the president until Suharto resigned from office in 1998.
Work with government
A brief summary of Widjojo's career is as follows:,- 1955: Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia.
- 1955: Appointed Director, Institute for Economic and Social Research, University of Indonesia; he served concurrently as a senior staff member in the Indonesian Planning Bureau (Biro Perantjang Negara) as an advisor to the well-known leading economist, Professor Sumitro Djojohadikusumo.
- 1957-1961: Studied economics and demography at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a PhD.
- 1962: Appointed professor of economics at the University of Indonesia.
- 1964-1968: Dean, Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia, serving concurrently as Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Sciences of the Indonesian Council for Sciences.
- 1966: Appointed as team coordinator for economy and finance of the staff of personal assistants to president Suharto.
- 1967-1983: Chairman (head) of the Indonesian National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).
- 1971: Appointed Minister for Development Planning.
- 1973-1983: Appointed Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry.
- 1983: Term as Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry ended. He became one of president Suharto's key economic advisers and continued to work closely with the president until Suharto resigned in 1998.
During his career in government, Widjojo was the head of many Indonesian delegations to numerous international meetings such as the Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI), the Paris Club
Paris Club
The Paris Club is an informal group of financial officials from 19 of some of the world's biggest economies, which provides financial services such as war funding, debt restructuring, debt relief, and debt cancellation to indebted countries and their creditors...
, and World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
and International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
(IMF) meetings. He was also a member of the South Commission (headed by president Julius Nyerere
Julius Nyerere
Julius Kambarage Nyerere was a Tanzanian politician who served as the first President of Tanzania and previously Tanganyika, from the country's founding in 1961 until his retirement in 1985....
) as well as numerous other international committees). In 2008, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Indonesia awarded Widjojo its most prestigious award, the Wirakarya Adhitama, for a lifetime of dedication and extraordinary achievements.