The six new ministers are expected to manage the prolonged multidimensional crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and turn it into an opportunity for the emergence of new innovations.
By
Kompas Team
·6 minutes read
TANGKAPAN LAYAR AKUN SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN DI KANAL YOUTUBE
President Joko Widodo accompanied by Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin announced the names of six new ministers who will be part of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, on Tuesday (22/12/2020).
President Joko Widodo is installing six new ministers and three new deputy ministers today. They are expected to turn the coronavirus-induced condition of the present into a foundation for new innovations that benefit the country.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS— President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is to inaugurate six new ministers and three new deputy ministers in his Onward Indonesia Cabinet on Wednesday (23/12/2020) at the presidential palace compound in Jakarta. The six new ministers are expected to manage the prolonged multidimensional crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and turn it into an opportunity for the emergence of new innovations.
President Jokowi introduced the six new ministers to the public on Tuesday from a terrace of the palace compound in Jakarta. The newly appointed ministers are: Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Social Affairs Minister Tri “Risma” Rismaharini and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who is more commonly known as “Gus Yaqut”.
“On this happy afternoon, the Vice President and I want to announce the names of the new ministers who will join the Onward Indonesia Cabinet,” said the President.
Jokowi then provided the detailed background of each new minister. When they were introduced, the six new ministers were wearing white shirts, black trousers and blue jackets that had been prepared by Presidential Secretary Heru Budi Hartono. Meanwhile, President Jokowi and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin were wearing a similar white shirt and black trousers, but sans the jacket.
The three new deputy ministers will occupy their posts at the Health Ministry, the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry and the Defense Ministry.
However, the three new deputy ministers were not introduced yesterday, although they were scheduled to be inaugurated on Wednesday morning along with the new ministers. The three new deputy ministers will occupy their posts at the Health Ministry, the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry and the Defense Ministry.
“They, too, will be installed tomorrow,” affirmed State Secretary Pratikno, when Kompas asked for confirmation.
Improve investment and industry
According to Pratikno, the six new ministers will face challenges that the President hopes could be turned around instead to advance Indonesia.
“[The challenges] will not only emerge at the domestic level, but also on the international stage. With the establishment of the Indonesia Investment Authority [INA], the new ministers are also challenged to attract more investments, stimulate the manufacturing industry and the economy, increase foreign exchange earnings and boost the tourism sector, as well as strengthen the market and develop new industries,” said Pratikno.
SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN
State Secretary Pratikno
He added that the new health minister would not focus solely on public health, and would also focus on improving hospital management and bolstering the pharmaceutical industry, access to medicines and the availability of medical equipment to support the country’s health sovereignty.
“[The new health minister] will also be responsible for spearheading national collaboration to safeguard public health and curtail foreign exchange ‘leaks’, considering that many wealthy Indonesians prefer to be treated overseas,” explained Pratikno.
When contacted, newly installed Trade Ministry Lutfi asserted his readiness to carry out the mandate of the President and the Vice President to protect price stability from inflation, support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and open new markets.
In his official statement, Budi Gunadi said one of his primary focuses in carrying out his ministerial duties was to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Intersectoral coordination and collaboration would be strengthened to manage the public health emergency.
Sandiaga Uno’s spokesperson, Kawendra Lukistian, said the new Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry would face great challenges in 2021. For one, the ministry would be tasked to revive the economy and tourism, which have been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
After her ministerial appointment was announced by the President, Risma affirmed that empowerment programs would be the Social Affairs Ministry’s primary focus.
“Social assistance will still be provided. However, social assistance aside, empowering society would be a better option, especially since empowerment programs do not require a large budget. [The ministry] may work together with various empowerment groups, including forming collaborations with several ministries and state agencies,” she said.
Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said he would work hard as the new maritime affairs and fisheries minister. Previously, he served as the deputy defense minister. “It was rather surprising that I was asked to revamp and manage the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry. I will work hard and dedicate myself to the nation,” promised Wahyu.
Lastly, Gus Yaqut said the first thing that he would do as religious affairs minister was to transform religion into an inspiration, rather than an aspiration.
“What this means is that religions must not be used by anyone as a political tool, either for opposing the government, seizing power or any other clandestine motives,” he explained.
To realize this, bolstering the country’s ukhuwah Islamiyah, or Islamic brotherhood, was a necessary step.
Upon his inauguration, Yaqut would turn religions into messengers of good values and peace. To realize this, bolstering the country’s ukhuwah Islamiyah, or Islamic brotherhood, was a necessary step.
Learn fast
Chairman Ede Surya Darmawan of the Indonesian Public Health Experts Association (IAKMI) opined that Budi Gunadi’s nonmedical background would require the new health minister to get up to speed about the healthcare system and relevant regulations. A number of tasks and duties in the health sector required the new minister’s attention, not just matters concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We hope Budi’s professional background and his experience working on the Covid-19 handling and national economic recovery [PC-PEN] committee has prepared him well,” said Ede.
Meanwhile, IPB University rector Arif Satria expressed his optimism for Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, as he had a strong sense of leadership and supported food resilience efforts. He also hoped that the newly installed maritime affairs minister would attract domestic investment to siphon the abundant potential of the fisheries sector.
Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro
President Joko Widodo spoke at a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, which was broadcast online, Tuesday (19/5/2020).
CEO Mas Achmad Santosa of the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI) hopes that Budi would be committed to preserving the fish supply and safeguard the sovereignty of national fisheries. The current trend showed weakening law enforcement in the fisheries sector.
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman K.H. Said Aqil Siroj expressed appreciation for President Jokowi’s decision to appoint as the new religious affairs minister Yaqut, who chairs GP Ansor, NU’s youth wing. “Hopefully, he will be trustworthy,” he said.
Lastly, executive director Muhammad Qodari of Jakarta-based pollster Indo Barometer said that the Cabinet reshuffle was based on a number of considerations. The recent arrest of two ministers by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), according to Qodari, was not the sole reason behind the reshuffle, as the President had likely taken other aspects into consideration.
