Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto has been criticized for his lack of transparency and sluggish efforts to test for and trace the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while other countries have scrambled to improve public health measures to contain the global outbreak.

While declaring the country virus-free and asking people to keep praying, the minister did not carefully trace potential cases despite reports that certain foreign travelers who had transited in the country had later tested positive for the virus.

The first two confirmed COVID-19 patients, who are a mother and daughter, were discovered after both took the initiative to seek medical care.

The poor handling of the cases has sowed international distrust. Saudi Arabia has banned Indonesian umrah (minor hajj) pilgrims from the country despite Indonesia having had no confirmed cases at the time of the ban. International media have also reported the diplomatic community’s distrust of Indonesia’s claim it was free from the outbreak.  

The government responded to the criticisms of the minister by centralizing coronavirus efforts by all ministries and institutions under the Presidential Office (KSP), especially in handling communication with the public.  

The public health crisis was not the only case in which Cabinet members showed a lack of transparency. In January, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly came under fire for announcing the wrong information on the whereabouts of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Harun Masiku, who has been named a suspect in a graft case.