Gojek's Nadiem Makarim relinquishes CEO title for position in Indonesian cabinet

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Gojek co-founder and CEO Nadiem Makarim (pictured) has resigned to take up a cabinet post in Indonesia's new government. The move comes after President Joko Widodo, who previously shared his preference to include professionals and Millennials in his second-term team, swore in on Sunday.

The role is set to be revealed by president Widodo later in the week. In a statement to Marketing Interactive, a Gojek spokesperson said Makarim was summoned to the palace today by the president to accept the appointment as a member of the new cabinet. However, the company will not make further comments until there is an official announcement from the palace.

"We have planned for this possibility and there will be no disruption to our business. We will make an announcement on what this news means for Gojek within the next few days," said the spokesperson. In the meantime, his departure will see Gojek group president Andre Soelistyo and Gojek co-founder Kevin Aluwi share responsibility for leading the company through its next stage of growth as co-CEOs.

The ride-hailing company added that it is "very proud" that its founder will be playing such a significant role in moving Indonesia onto the global stage. The spokesperson said: "It is unprecedented for a passionate local founder’s vision to be recognised as a model that can be up-scaled to help the development of an entire country."

Makarim hails from a prominent Indonesian family, according to multiple media reports such as Bloomberg and CNA. His grandfather was part of the delegation that won the country’s independence from the Netherlands in a 1949 conference at The Hague.