Jokowi gave the signal during a meeting with 11 economists at the Presidential Palace on Monday, where he discussed the country'€™s latest economic developments.

Destry Damayanti, a senior economist at the state-owned Bank Mandiri said that the President indirectly expressed his disappointment with his economic ministers'€™ performances, especially after seeing the slowing down of economic growth in the first semester.

According to her, one of the trigger factors is that ministries have been working in their own interests and economic policy has not been implemented because the ministries have gone their own way without any coordination and consolidating of ideas between themselves.

Destry, also chairperson of the government-backed committee for selecting the new Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leadership, said that the President was also disappointed with the low spending rate thus far of the 2015 state budget, only 40 percent of which, up to this month, has been put to use.

Another economist Anton Gunawan concurred, saying the President was in need of an economics minister who could influence the market. '€œHe says he needs a star power minister,'€ he said.

Anton also said that a minister with a powerful influence was much needed considering that one factor influencing economic growth, besides economic fundamentals, was market perception.

Anton admitted that which minister the President want to replace.

Hendri Sparini, another economist, said she wanted the President and his government to focus on the development of the manufacturing industry, which has supported economic growth.

State Secretary Pratikno denied that the meeting had a lot to do with a cabinet reshuffle. (rms)(++++)

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