Indonesia is mourning the loss of one of its most prominent economic thinkers and public servants, Kwik Kian Gie, who passed away on Monday night, July 28, 2025, at the age of 90. His death was confirmed by former Jakarta deputy governor and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno via social media.

“Farewell, Pak Kwik Kian Gie. Economist, educator, a true nationalist. A mentor who was never tired of fighting for the truth, standing firm in the midst of storms for the people and the nation. Indonesia mourns,” Sandiaga wrote in a tribute on his personal Instagram account late Monday.

Kwik passed away at 10 p.m. local time at Medistra Hospital in Jakarta. His family has yet to release an official statement regarding the cause of death.

Born in Juwana, Pati, Central Java on January, 11, 1935, Kwik was widely respected as a fierce advocate for economic justice and transparency. Of Chinese-Indonesian descent, he rose to prominence as a reform-minded economist during some of the most turbulent years in Indonesia’s post-Reformasi political history.

Kwik served as Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry from 1999 to 2000 under President Abdurrahman Wahid, and later as Minister of National Development Planning and Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) from 2001 to 2004 under President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

A senior figure within the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Kwik was known for his sharp economic critiques and unwavering commitment to public service.

In addition to his political and economic roles, he made significant contributions to education by founding the Institut Bisnis dan Informatika Indonesia (IBII), aimed at advancing business and information technology education in the country.

Tributes have poured in from political leaders, academics, and civil society figures honoring his legacy as a principled intellectual and a voice of conscience in Indonesia's policymaking circles.

Further details about his funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.