Fashion designer Didiet Maulana often capitalizes on his close ties with government officials. For instance, during the fitting of the kebaya blouse that Finance Minister Sri Mulyani wore to the People’s Consultative Assembly last August. “I kind of ‘cornered’ her into making a video,” Didiet told Tempo two weeks ago.

Ibu Minister simply complied when Didiet, 37, directed styles and words to say. “The content