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Pandemic response given fresh start in Cabinet shake-up
Managerial expertise dominated the new batch of figures that Jokowi tapped to join his Indonesia Onward Cabinet, which was announced just three days before Christmas.
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President Joko Widodo announces six new ministers after a Cabinet reshuffle at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono (left), Budi Gunadi Sadikin (second left), Tri Rismaharini (third left), Sandiaga Uno (third right), Yaqut Cholil Quomas (second right) and Muhammad Lutfi (right) will be sworn in on Wednesday. (Presidential Palace/Muchlis Jr.)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced the first Cabinet reshuffle of his second term in office on Tuesday, bringing in six new ministers in a move that experts say reflects his intention to get the economy back on track from the pandemonium caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Managerial expertise dominated the new batch of figures that Jokowi tapped to join his Indonesia Onward Cabinet, which was announced just three days before Christmas.
The new line-up is expected to give the administration a fresh start in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected more than 650,000 people and killed 20,000-plus more since the country announced its first cases in March.
Erstwhile Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto was finally given the boot after a poor showing that has for months caused widespread public concern and confusion.
He is to be replaced by current Deputy State-Owned Enterprises Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, who has scarce credentials in health but is praised as an astute manager in finance circles.
Speaking to the press after Tuesday’s reveal, Budi said that overcoming problems stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak was his top priority and added that he would take a more collaborative approach with other stakeholders.
“I believe that if we stand united with professional associations, regional administrations and all other components of this nation, we can build a strong public health system that will be ready to handle the problems caused by SARS-CoV-2,” he told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday, in a reference to the virus that causes COVID-19.
