Airlangga Hartarto


Airlangga Hartarto is an Indonesian politician and businessman. He is the current Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs in President Joko Widodo's Onward Indonesia Cabinet, appointed on 23 October 2019. He is also the chairman of Golkar Party.

Early life and education

Airlangga was born in the East Java capital of Surabaya on 1 October 1962. His father Hartarto Sastrosoenarto, an engineer and politician, served as a minister in various portfolios for former president Suharto for 15 years from 1983 to 1998.
Airlangga was active in the boy scouts, attending national and international jamborees. He completed high school at Kanisius College in Jakarta in 1981. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Gadjah Mada University in 1987. He completed the AMP at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and later received a master's degree in business administration from Monash University as well as a master's degree in management technology from the University of Melbourne. In 2019 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Development Policy by The KDI School of Public Policy and Management .

Business career

Airlangga has been involved in numerous businesses, ranging from fertilizer distribution to paper packaging and construction machinery. Following are some of his corporate roles.
Airlangga joined Golkar Party in 1998. In 2004, he became a member of the House of Representatives as a member of Golkar. He served as deputy treasurer of Golkar from 2004–2009. In his second term as a legislator in the 2009-2014 period, he chaired House Commission VI on industry, trade, investment and state-owned enterprises. During this time, he introduced the 2014 Industry Law. In his third term as a legislator, which commenced in 2014, he served in House Commission VII on mineral resources, environment, research and technology. In April 2015, he was transferred to Commission X on education, tourism, creative economy, culture, sports and youth. In January 2016, he became a member of Commission XI on financial affairs.
He was appointed to cabinet as industry minister on 27 July 2016 by President Joko Widodo. On 13 December 2017, he was selected to become Golkar chairman, replacing Setya Novanto, who had been arrested and put on trial for alleged corruption.

Family

Airlangga is the younger brother of businessman Gunadharma Hartarto. His other siblings are Indira Asoka, Gautama and Maya Dewi. Airlangga is married to Yanti K. Isfandiary and they have eight children: Adanti, Ravindra, Audi, Dines, Bianda, Latasha, Maisara and Natalie.