She may be one of the highest rated of President Joko Widodo’s ministers, as well as being an absolute rock star, but, until now, Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti was the only member of Jokowi’s cabinet without a high school diploma.
Susi’s immense success despite her lack of formal education (she received her middle school diploma but dropped out of high school in her first year) has served as an inspiration to many. But the 53-year-old finally finally fulfilled her goal of obtaining a high school diploma after taking the national exams in Ciamis, West Java in May of this year.
Susi, who received her certificate last Friday, came out on top among 569 exam participants.
“Even if I’m rusty I’m still the best,” she said with a laugh, as quoted by Kompas.
Susi said she had been planning to take the exam since then-Education Minister Anies Baswedan proposed the idea to her three years ago, but hadn’t been able to do so until this year due to scheduling conflicts.
The timing of Susi obtaining her diploma did, however, raise some speculation that it could have also been motivated by the popular minister’s greater political ambitions.
Yesterday, United Development Party (PPP) Chairman Romahurmuziy, a close ally of Jokowi, announced the president’s shortlist of 10 possible candidates for his running mate in next year’s election. Among the 10 names, which include veteran politicians like former Constitutional Court Judge Mahfud MD and Golkar Chairman Airlangga Hartarto, is Susi Pudjiastuti. Romahurmuziy stressed that the shortlist is final and that Jokowi would definitely pick somebody from the list.
Susi’s new high school diploma is thus extra relevant because under the General Elections Commission (KPU) Regulation No. 15/2014, candidates for president/vice president must have at least a high school diploma to be eligible.
This isn’t the first time Susi has been rumored to be Jokowi’s running mate next year. In April, she proved to be a possible dark horse option in a survey of potential VPs and said that she would be “ready” if picked by the president.
Reader Interactions