INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo’s choice of a new central bank governor is a clear signal that the campaign for next year’s election has begun in earnest.
It’s hard to find another way to explain the promotion of Bank Indonesia deputy governor Perry Warjiyo to the top job. With campaigning for municipal elections in June under way and a tough presidential contest approaching next year, the president – known as Jokowi – must have wanted his own guy. Outgoing governor Agus Martowardojo was selected by Jokowi’s predecessor.