Prabowo Names Bimo Wijayanto as Indonesia’s New Tax Chief, Replacing Suryo Utomo
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has tapped Bimo Wijayanto to lead Indonesia’s Directorate General of Taxes, marking a major shift at the country’s most powerful revenue agency.
Bimo, who currently serves as Secretary to the Deputy for Economic and Investment Cooperation at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, will replace Suryo Utomo, who has held the post since November 1, 2019.
His appointment was confirmed after a closed-door meeting with the president at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 20.
Also summoned to the palace was Lieutenant General Djaka Budi Utama, Secretary of Indonesia’s State Intelligence Agency (BIN), who is reportedly being considered to head the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
“I’ve been entrusted with a mandate and, following the Minister of Finance’s direction, will join the Ministry of Finance. The same goes for Lieutenant General Djaka,” Bimo told reporters after the meeting.
According to Bimo, Prabowo gave clear instructions: overhaul the tax system, restore public trust, and ensure state revenue is safeguarded with integrity and independence.
“There were strong directives from the president to take bold steps to elevate the integrity and authority of the Directorate General of Taxes and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise,” he said. “Both institutions must be able to more effectively secure state revenues.”
The timeline for Bimo’s official swearing-in remains uncertain, pending formal instructions from Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. But Bimo hinted the inauguration could happen within days.
“As soon as possible—perhaps this week,” he said.