Budi Arie Setiadi's Career Journey: From Activist to Minister, Now in the Spotlight in a Gambling Case

Kapanlagi.com - Budi Arie Setiadi, who currently serves as the Minister of Cooperatives of the Republic of Indonesia, is back in the spotlight after several employees at the Digital Ministry (Komdigi), an agency he once led, were involved in an online gambling case. Known as a former student activist and journalist, Budi Arie has a wealth of experience in the political and government arena.

Since July 17, 2023, he has been entrusted with leading the Ministry of Communication and Information, before eventually transitioning to the Ministry of Cooperatives under President Prabowo Subianto's leadership. In his role as Minister of Cooperatives, Budi Arie faces a significant mission to develop cooperative governance throughout Indonesia.

However, his career journey is not just limited to positions. Budi Arie has long been involved in various movements aimed at bringing significant change to society. So, what is his inspiring story to reach this point?

Check out the summary of information that has been reported by Kapanlagi.com from various sources, Tuesday (5/11).

1. Childhood and Education of Budi Arie Setiadi

Budi Arie Setiadi, who was born in Jakarta on April 20, 1969, was raised in an environment that shaped him into a strong-willed social activist.

He attended elementary school at SD Marsudirini and continued to the same junior high school, then went to Kolese Kanisius to complete his secondary education.

Not stopping there, Budi continued his academic journey at the University of Indonesia, where he majored in Communication Studies and was actively involved in student organizations.

Graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Social Science degree, he further honed his knowledge by obtaining a postgraduate degree in Social Development Management in 2006.

During his time on campus, Budi had already shown a deep interest in journalism and social issues, even serving as the Chairman of the Student Representative Body at UI in 1994, and becoming a critical voice against policies that affected society.

2. Journalistic Career: from Student to Establishing One's Own Newspaper

Budi Arie, a familiar figure in the world of journalism, began his journey in college as the Managing Editor of the UI student magazine, Suara Mahasiswa.

Since 1993, he has made a critical mark through sharp writings that highlight social and political issues. His career soared at Media Indonesia in 1994, and he continued his adventure as a journalist at Kontan in 1996, where he bravely spotlighted economic issues that were often overlooked.

At the peak of the 1998 reform wave, Budi founded the newspaper "BERGERAK", an alternative media that became the voice of the people during a tumultuous time. His dedication and passion for journalism not only led him to receive various awards but also placed him under the close scrutiny of the authorities.

3. Starting a Political Career and Joining PDIP

In 2005, Budi Arie confidently stepped into the political arena by joining as a cadre of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), and shortly thereafter, he was entrusted to lead the Research and Development Agency (Balitbang) of the DPD PDIP DKI Jakarta until 2010.

The valuable experience at PDIP honed his abilities in organizing and designing intelligent political strategies. In 2013, he continued his journey by establishing PROJO, a volunteer group that became a pillar of support for President Joko Widodo.

As the General Chairman, Budi Arie played a crucial role in accommodating the aspirations of the people and mobilizing support during the 2014 Presidential Election, making PROJO a key force for Jokowi in every important step.

4. Position as Minister of Communication and Informatics

On July 17, 2023, Budi Arie officially took office as the Minister of Communication and Informatics, replacing Johnny G Plate. In his short time in this hot seat, Budi Arie managed to achieve remarkable accomplishments, including the construction of thousands of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in remote areas and a firm crackdown on online gambling.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics successfully cut access to 3.8 million online gambling contents and blocked more than 31,000 dangerous website pages in the vicinity of educational and government institutions.

"We are committed to keeping the digital space free from negative influences," asserted Budi Arie, emphasizing his determination to create a safer digital ecosystem.

5. The Controversy of Online Gambling Haunting the Digital Ministry

The online gambling case that has emerged within the Digital Ministry is now under sharp public scrutiny, placing Budi Arie, who currently serves as the Minister of Cooperatives, in the midst of controversy.

Although he has since moved on to a different role, the attention on this case has not waned, particularly because it involves the ministry he once led. Recently, the police managed to arrest 16 individuals involved in this illegal practice, including several rogue employees from Komdigi (formerly Kominfo).

Ironically, instead of eradicating it, these individuals have misused their positions to allow the practice to continue. In response to this situation, Budi Arie expressed appreciation to the police for their success in uncovering the online gambling case that tarnished the institution's name.

(kpl/rmt)