TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Senior economist Kwik Kian Gie passed away on Monday night, July 28, 2025, at the age of 90. The news was confirmed by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician Andreas Hugo Pareira, who stated that Kwik had been hospitalized for several weeks due to digestive disorders.
"Pak Kwik Kian Gie, the nation's teacher, senior economist, and a politician of integrity, passed away on July 28 at 22:00 at Medistra Hospital," Andreas told Tempo on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
President Prabowo Subianto expressed his condolences on the passing of the former Coordinating Minister for the Economy. The Head of State conveyed his sentiments via his official Instagram account, @prabowo, where he posted a black-and-white photo of Kwik Kian Gie.
"My condolences on the passing of Kwik Kian Gie. January 11, 1935 - July 28, 2025," Prabowo wrote on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Former Minister of Tourism Sandiaga Uno also offered his condolences. "Farewell, Pak Kwik Kian Gie. An economist, educator, true nationalist," Sandiaga Uno wrote on his Instagram account @sandiuno, as quoted on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto similarly conveyed his condolences. Speaking at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the former Chairperson of the Golkar Party noted that Kwik left behind crucial policies for economic development.
He specifically mentioned that Kwik had laid the groundwork for a development blueprint that continues to be utilized by Bappenas (National Development Planning Agency). "Bappenas had a blueprint. It's been continuously continued," he stated.
Kwik Kian Gie's Life and Career
Kwik Kian Gie was born in Pati, Central Java, on January 11, 1935. After completing his bachelor's degree at the Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia, Kwik pursued further studies in the Netherlands at the Nederlandse Economise Hogeschool (now Erasmus University Rotterdam) in Rotterdam. Following his graduation, he served as an assistant for cultural affairs and information at the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague.
Kwik returned to Indonesia in 1970 and subsequently ventured into the business sector. Kwik's political career began in 1987 when he joined the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) under the leadership of Soerjadi.
When Megawati Soekarnoputri assumed the chairpersonship of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Kwik was appointed as a member of the party's Central Leadership Council. He was also an active participant in the party's Research and Development Team (Balitbang).
During the administration of President Abdurrahman Wahid, Kwik held the position of Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry. Under Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidency, Kwik was appointed as the Head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).
Throughout his tenure, Kwik was not afraid to voice dissent, even with President Megawati. Notably, Kwik opposed Megawati's plan to issue a presidential instruction on "release and discharge" (R&D). This policy later served as the basis for the National Banking Restructuring Agency to issue statements of debt discharge (SKL) to conglomerates indebted to the Indonesian Bank Liquidity Support (BLBI) program.
Linda Trianita and Rosseno Aji contributed to the report
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