Faisal Basri: Airlangga Hartarto And Luhut Cannot Handle COVID-19

JAKARTA - Senior Economist of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) Faisal Basri criticized the public communication made by the Chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN) Airlangga Hartarto. According to him, Airlangga's approach was too focused on the economy in handling COVID-19.

In fact, said Faisal, the weakening of the national and global economy was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, said Faisal, what must be a priority is the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic

According to Faisal, someone must be appointed as a warlord to control the pandemic. That, he said, was in Budi Gunadi Sadikin's hands.

"Make Budi Gunadi the commander, go to hell with Airlangga Hartarto who talks too much about the economy. Appoint the warlord to face COVID-19, and he is Budi Gunadi Sadikin," he said, in a virtual discussion, Wednesday, December 23.

Not only that, said Faisal, when daily cases of COVID-19 continued to soar, even exceeding the number of recovered patients, Airlangga actually held a meeting in Bintan, Riau Islands. As a result, the people did not trust the government.

"Now, in my opinion, I apologize if I am wrong, now my impression is that the people have been ignorant. People do not believe in the government, create new crowds, hold work meetings in Bintan, Airlangga Hartarto, and all kinds of things," he explained.

Likewise with other ministers, including the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who became Deputy Chair of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery. According to him, Luhut is not someone who can solve the pandemic problem.

According to Faisal, so that the handling of the pandemic was clear, it would be better if the current command remained centered on Budi Gunadi Sadikin. This is because Budi is aware that economic reform does not stem from a boost to business activity, but how to control the pandemic first.

"So this is Pak Budi's war commander. Now who is it? Luhut? Mbok, do you realize this is a person, he is not a problem solver, he is the creator of a new problem that shows the people that the president has become more loyal and trusts Luhut more. That must be avoided for this pandemic case. Sir Budi must be firm and backed up by the president. If not 4L, Luhut again, Luhut again, "he said.