Indonesia's three divas fix the nation's finances
Thursday, 8 November 2007
JAKARTA, Nov 7 (Reuters): They're called the three divas but the three most powerful women in Indonesia are anything but prima donnas.
They're economists who together are setting Southeast Asia's biggest economy on track for its fastest growth in 11 years.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, and the central bank's Senior Deputy Governor Miranda Goeltom form an unusual clique in a country where the establishment is dominated by men.
"We know each other very well. The chemistry is always very good between the three of us," said Indrawati, a former International Monetary Fund director, in a recent interview with the news agency.
While the three play golf and do lunch together, Indrawati said she values the fact she can discuss economics with the other two, particularly given the isolated nature of her job.
"It's something we can enjoyably share," she said.
"Being a minister of finance you feel really lonely and alone. If you are mingling too closely with the business community they will accuse you of being too close, and if you are mingling with the political parties they think you are busy politicking. I have to keep a distance."
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, has had relatively few high-profile women in its government.
Its first female president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, owed her position in part to her pedigree, as her father Sukarno was the independent nation's first leader.
They're economists who together are setting Southeast Asia's biggest economy on track for its fastest growth in 11 years.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, and the central bank's Senior Deputy Governor Miranda Goeltom form an unusual clique in a country where the establishment is dominated by men.
"We know each other very well. The chemistry is always very good between the three of us," said Indrawati, a former International Monetary Fund director, in a recent interview with the news agency.
While the three play golf and do lunch together, Indrawati said she values the fact she can discuss economics with the other two, particularly given the isolated nature of her job.
"It's something we can enjoyably share," she said.
"Being a minister of finance you feel really lonely and alone. If you are mingling too closely with the business community they will accuse you of being too close, and if you are mingling with the political parties they think you are busy politicking. I have to keep a distance."
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, has had relatively few high-profile women in its government.
Its first female president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, owed her position in part to her pedigree, as her father Sukarno was the independent nation's first leader.