He stood out among the new cabinet ministers last Wednesday at the State Palace. Compared to the five other appointees, Trade Minster Thomas Trikasih Lembong was fresh-faced and well-groomed. He is, after all, only 44 years old.

He is a smart person," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli told Tempo last Wednesday. He knew Thomas when he worked at the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). At that time, Rizal was Financ