Institute for Economic and Social Research – Faculty of Economics and Business – Universitas Indonesia

Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo (1953-1955)

Prof. Dr. Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo is regarded as “The Great Economic Guru” in the history of the Republic of Indonesia. Soemitro is the father of former commander of Special Force (Kopassus), Prabowo Subianto, a father-in-law of former Governor of Bank Indonesia, Soedrajad Djiwandono, and also a relative of former President of Indonesia, Soeharto. Soemitro is the son of Raden Mas Margono Djojohadikusomo, founder of Bank Negara Indonesia, first chairman of DPAS, and member of BPUPKI.

Soemitro began his career as an Assistant Staff of Prime Minister of Indonesia, Sutan Syahrir (1946), President Director of Indonesian Banking Corporation (1947),and Charge d’Affaires of Indonesia Embassy in Washington, DC (1950). Soemitro was the Minister of Trade and Industry in the Cabinet of Natsir (1950-1951), Minister of Finance in the Cabinet of Wilopo (1952-1953), Minister of Finance in the Cabinet of Burhanuddin Harahap (1955-1956), Minister of Trade in the Cabinet Development I (1968-1973), and Minister of Research and Development in the Cabinet Development II (1973-1978).

Prof. Dr. Soemitro is one of the leaders who achieved great success in preparing his successor of economist candidates for the next generation. His successors proved themselves to qualify in fulfilling their duty as ministers of Indonesia economy. Soemitro’s students among others are J. B. Sumarlin, Ali Wardhana, and Widjojo Nitisastro. The latter two even had taken his leadership in LPEM FEBUI. In 2001, Prof. Dr. Soemitro Djojohadikoesoemo died at the age of 83 years.