After his retirement as a minister in 1978, Sadli became widely regarded as one of the most senior policy-oriented economists in Indonesia. He remained a key adviser to Soeharto, he fostered his many links in business circles, and he became an active economic journalist. As an economic commentator Sadli made important contributions to public policy discussion in Indonesia throughout the 1980s and 1990s and until the time of his death. Because he was so well known and respected he could chide or praise almost anybody in public life at will, and he often did so with gentle good humour in the numerous columns that he wrote for the Indonesian publication Business News and other Indonesian publications. He was one of the first senior figures in Indonesia to become openly critical of the Soeharto regime. The most consistent theme in his public commentary was the need for good economic policy. Sadli took a close interest in international economic affairs as well. He often participated in seminars and conferences about economic affairs in meetings in Asia. He was appointed several times, in 1981 and again in 1987, as an expert member of international panels to undertake strategic reviews of the role of the Asian Development Bank in Asia. Sadli died quietly at the home where he had lived for many years in the suburb of Kebayoran in South Jakarta on 8 January 2008. He is survived by his wife, Professor Saparinah Sadli, who is a leading figure in Indonesia for her work in the fields of psychology and women's rights.
Sadli lecture
In recognition of Sadli's contribution to the discussion of economic policy-making in Indonesia, an annual is held in Jakarta. The Lecture is sponsored jointly by the Institute of Economic and Social Research from the University of Indonesia and the Indonesia Project at the Australian National University in Canberra. Recent Sadli lectures include the following: -- Professor Christopher Findlay and Professor Mari Pangestu spoke about "The Services Sector as a Driver of Change: Indonesian Experience in the ASEAN Context". -- Former Minister of Finance Dr M. Chatib Basri presented a lecture on "A Tale of Two Countries: A Lesson Learned from the 2013 Taper Tantrum." -- Professor Fukunari Kimura discussed "Value Chain Connectivity in Indonesia: The Evolution of Unbundlings."
Sadli Foundation
In June 2019 the Sadli Foundation was established to encourage the activities of new professors in the Faculty of Economics and Business in the University of Indonesia. The Foundation will provide funds for research grants to support high-quality research. The Foundation was officially established on 14 June 2019 at a meeting attended by Sadli's wife, Emeritus Professor Saparinah Sadli and senior staff from the including the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ari Kuncoro, the Head of the , Dr Riatu Qibtiyah, and other well-known senior scholars from the University such as Emeritus Professor Mayling Oey-Gardiner and former Minister of Finance Dr M. Chatib Basri.
