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Anger can be power: How minister Risma capitalizes on her outbursts
But close to one year under the current Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharani, a former mayor of Surabaya, East Java, popularly known as Bu Risma, many have suggested that what the new minister needs is anger-management lessons.
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Social Affairs Minister Tri “Risma” Rismaharini gives a speech during the official handover ceremony at the ministry’s office in Jakarta on Dec. 23, 2020. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo appointed the former Surabaya mayor as a replacement for Juliari Batubara, who was jailed for his role in a bribery case pertaining to COVID-19 social aid packages. JP/Dhoni Setiawan (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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hen a graft scandal hit the Social Affairs Ministry late last year, many called for better management of social aid, which had been abused by then minister Juliari Batubara for his personal gain.
But close to one year under the current Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharani, a former mayor of Surabaya, East Java, popularly known as Bu Risma, many have suggested that what the new minister needs is anger-management lessons.
In recent months, Risma has grabbed the headlines less for her efforts to improve the way the much-needed social aid for those impacted by COVID-19 is being distributed but more for her outbursts and temper, especially when dealing with local officials with whom she has disagreements.
In July, a video showing Risma scolding a local member of staff at the Bandung Social Affairs Agency for failing to properly set up a soup kitchen for the poor went viral, particularly for what many regarded as her racial insensitivity.
"If you don't do this right, I will reassign you all to Papua," said Risma in her outburst, further cementing the stereotype that Papua is a backwater region of the country.
In her latest outburst, Risma used violent language against local social affairs agency staff in Gorontalo province after having a tense argument over data on social aid recipients.
When the local staff accused the ministry of scrapping the list provided by them, Risma could be seen in another viral video denying the accusation and venting her anger on the local staff.
