Profile of Jero Wacik, new energy minister

Jero Wacik probably has never been heard in the energy and mineral resources industry. This is because under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) government, he has been mainly dealing with culture and tourism issues.

He was appointed as State Minister for Culture and Tourism from 2004 to 2009 and reappointed by the President in 2009 to his post.

Nevertheless, Jero Wacik is senior politician of the ruling Democratic Party, the political party umbrella of President Yudhoyono. Apart from holding position as minister, Jero Wacik also holds position as member of Advisory Council of Democratic Party, which is headed by President Yudhoyono.

Jero Wacik, born on April 24, 1949 in Singaraja, Bali, got his undergraduate degree on mechanical engineering(S1)at prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in 1973 and an economics degree at University of Indonesia in 1983. He was active in tourism service business before joining Democratic Party.

Before joining the party, he ran three main businesses, two of which engaged in hotel and travel bureau, namely PT Griya Batu Bersinar and PT Pesona Boga Suara. The other one PT Puri Ayu engaged in design, including textile design. He established those companies in early 1990s.

Before running his own businesses, Jero Wacik worked at a heavy equipment distributor company, PT United Tractors Tbk, a subsidiary of giant diversified PT Astra International Tbk.

Jero Wacik was known as a hard-working student. While studying at ITB, he also worked at a number of textile companies in Bandung as a member of research team. Despite working while studying, he managed to finish his study in 1973.

After graduating from ITB, he joined PT United Tractors as Assistant Services Manager (1974-1975). His last position at the company was Sales Manager (1990), before deciding to build his own company.

Jero Wacik married Triesna and has three daughters and one son. (roffie)