VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Andi Amran Sulaiman as minister of agriculture, replacing Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who had resigned from his position following his alleged connection with a corruption case.

During an oath-taking ceremony held at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, President Jokowi also inaugurated Chief of Staff of the Army Lieutenant General Agus Subiyanto and Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina Sulaiman Syarif.

"In the name of God, I pledge that I will be loyal to the 1945 Constitution and genuinely carry out all applicable regulations for the sake of my devotion and service to the nation and country," Sulaiman stated when taking his oath.

Following the president's guidance, Sulaiman also stated his vow to carry out his duties while upholding office ethics and giving his best as a responsible agriculture minister.

The appointment marks his second term in office after serving in the same position during the 2014-2019 period.

Sulaiman, born in Bone, South Sulawesi, on April 27, 1968, has also earlier served as the head of logistics of state-owned agricultural company PT Perkebunan Nusantara XIV.

After concluding his career in the company, he created various agricultural innovations, including the rat exterminator Alpostran.

Since then, he has continued to develop his businesses in the field of pesticides, palm oil, sugar, nickel, gold, and gas stations.

Earlier in September this year, Minister Sulaiman met with President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, to talk on economic issues.

However, Sulaiman noted that the president did not offer him to reclaim his position as the agriculture minister in September's meeting. He remarked that after concluding his term as minister during the earlier period, he had discussed about the economy at several meetings with the head of state.

As a businessman, he admitted to having discussed matters related to sugar production in Southeast Sulawesi, nickel potential in eastern Indonesian regions, and conditions of the real economy with President Jokowi. (Antaranews)