Budi Gunadi Sadikin, A Banker Appointed By Jokowi To Replace Terawan In Handling COVID-19

JAKARTA - The figure of Terawan Agus Putranto's replacement was finally revealed this Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday 22 December at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. Budi Gunadi Sadikin (BGS), who previously served as Deputy Minister I of BUMN, was entrusted by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to become Minister of Health replacing the military doctor with the rank of three-star general in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet.

Quoting Antara, Budi Gunadi Sadikin faces a big task in front of his eyes, namely solving the problem of handling the COVID-19 pandemic and also other priority health problems, such as claim arrears and BPJS Kesehatan financial management.

There is still a lot of homework in the health sector which will be a big challenge for Budi, a financial expert who once led PT Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk. and also PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum (Persero).

The new position as Minister of Health is arguably a career bet for this experienced banker. The reason is, the COVID-19 pandemic is now the most crucial problem and concerns the safety of the souls of millions of Indonesians and also the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forged two crises at once: a public health crisis and an economic crisis. This crisis also brought Indonesia to the brink of economic recession for the first time since the 1998 crisis.

During the 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, countless how many resources have been mobilized by the Government to prevent the spread of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Many parties doubt Terawan's leadership as Minister of Health in handling this pandemic.

The President finally made the decision to replace Terawan with the figure of Budi Gunadi Sadikin, who in addition to Deputy Minister I for BUMN, also serves as Chairman of the National Economic Recovery and Transformation Task Force.

"Budi Gunadi Sadikin, previously President Director of Bank Mandiri, then President Director of PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum and finally Deputy Minister of BUMN and now we give responsibility to lead the Ministry of Health," said President Jokowi on the veranda of the Merdeka Palace.

Budi, whose name has skyrocketed since becoming President Director of PT Bank Mandiri, has indeed often won the trust of President Jokowi.

After leading the largest state-owned bank, Budi was appointed to lead PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum (Inalum) as well as to lead the BUMN holding in the energy sector. While leading Inalum, Budi played a role in transferring the majority of shares in PT Freeport Indonesia to the Indonesian government.

Budi's career continued to climb after being entrusted with being Deputy Minister I of BUMN for the 2019-2024 period and Chair of the National Economic Recovery and Transformation Task Force (Satgas PEN) to deal with social and economic problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With his position as Chairman of PEN, Budi is tasked with ensuring that the PEN budget in the government spending ceiling for handling COVID-19 and economic recovery is realized on target.

"The funds (handling COVID-19 and PEN) must be used immediately for the benefit of the community. It must be managed properly and efficiently. Apart from being fast and precise, it must be transparent and based on accurate and accountable data," said President Jokowi in a limited meeting regarding handling COVID-19 in the middle of this year.

His duties as Minister of Health also required Budi to resolve financial governance issues at BPJS Kesehatan. President Jokowi often asks his ranks of ministers to improve the management of BPJS Kesehatan and ensure that BPJS Kesehatan reaches out to all underprivileged people to get health service facilities.

Based on BPJS Health data, there were 222.94 million participants as of April 30, 2020.

"Until 2018 the government has spent approximately Rp. 115 trillion. The government has subsidized around 150 million people. This is a very large number. I really ask that the management of governance at BPJS continue to be fixed and improved," said Jokowi late last year when giving statement regarding BPJS Health issues.