Gojek co-founder Nadiem Makarim said he is stepping down as the company’s CEO today.
Makarim is one of the potential ministers in re-elected Indonesian president Joko Widodo’s new cabinet. President Widodo and his vice president Ma’ruf Amin were sworn in on Sunday in Jakarta for a second five-year term as the political leaders in the world’s third-largest democracy.
“Nadiem’s departure will see Andre Soelistyo, Gojek group president, and Kevin Aluwi, Gojek co-founder, share responsibility for leading the company through its next stage of growth as co-CEOs,” a company spokesperson said to KrASIA.
Makarim arrived at the Presidential Palace this morning under the invitation of President Widodo, who will introduce his new ministers today. Although Makarim did not say what position he was picked for, the Gojek co-founder told local media that he had left his position as Gojek’s CEO.
“Its an extraordinary honor to me to join the president’s cabinet and I feel very happy to be an Indonesian today. From the beginning, my mission in Gojek was to put Indonesia on the world stage, so this is a continuation of that mission, but now my role is for the country and on a larger scale,” Makarim told local press.
“Regarding the specific [cabinet] position, it will be announced directly by Mr. President himself. We have discussed the vision and mission and strategic plans to advance Indonesia, especially in terms of human resources, bureaucratic reform, investment, and so forth. There is so much that I want to do for this country. I certainly resign from my position in Gojek and I don’t have any authority [in Gojek] anymore starting from today,” he continued.
Rumor has it that Makarim will become a minister of education or hold a position in the new ministry institution that oversees the country’s digital and investment sector.
President Widodo will introduce the members of his new cabinet to the public on Wednesday.