Jokowi named a deputy health minister to assist the new health minister lead the country’s handling of the pandemic, which after nearly 10 months has infected more than 700,000 and killed over 20,800. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, a former banker who last year was named deputy state enterprises minister, will reportedly focus on vaccine procurement and distribution as well as health budget management.

The performance of former health minister Terawan Agus Putranto came under constant criticism, in particular due to the slow disbursement of the health budget. With the fiscal year ending in just two weeks, less than half of the Rp 96 trillion health budget has been spent, according to Finance Ministry data on Dec. 16.

The Health Ministry plays a pivotal role as Indonesia’s handling of COVID-19 will define the country’s economic recovery. The faster the pandemic is put under control, the quicker the economy will bounce back.

Due to his immense responsibilities, and high expectations of many, it’s only natural for the health minister to get a second man in command, who is a professional. Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono, a medical practitioner, will prepare mass COVID-19 vaccination as the government’s best bet to end the pandemic. Reportedly the vaccination will start next month, pending the emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).

Many also consider that the appointment of a deputy agriculture minister matters due to the pressing need to maintain food security during and after the pandemic. Harfiq Hasnul Qolbi, who is also the treasurer of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim organization, will second Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo in developing the agricultural sector as one of the backbones of the national economy. The Food and Agriculture Organization has warned countries of the threat the pandemic is posing to global food security.

There have been debates as to why Jokowi should appoint new deputy ministers and why the posts went to certain individuals with affiliation to certain groups, as in the case of Harfiq. Jokowi had initially also offered a deputy ministerial post to Muhammadiyah, but the country’s second-largest Islamic group rejected it.

Notwithstanding the controversy, the appointment of deputy ministers should no longer give the ministers excuses not to perform. In total there are now 15 deputy ministers backing up 14 ministers.

With the minimum opposition at the House of Representatives, Cabinet ministers who have the luxury of assistance from their deputies should work faster and better.

The structure of the central government has fattened with the arrival of the new deputy ministers. The government has to prove the new bloods will accelerate rather than slow decision making and every rupiah spent on their salaries and perks will be converted into improvement of people’s welfare.