Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin denies having a relationship with Ali Sadikin in Today's Memory, January 12, 2021

JAKARTA - Remembering today, five years ago, January 12, 2021, the Minister of Health (Menkes), Budi Gunadi Sadikin, emphasized that he had no relationship with the former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ali Sadikin. This statement also ended the rumor that he came from a well-known family background.

Previously, Budi's name appeared when the country was fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Budi's presence as Minister of Health was criticized by many people. This condition is because Budi has no background in the health sector at all. Budi is also considered to be the Minister of Health because he has a status from a well-known family.

Not all countries panicked when the corona virus spread throughout the world since the beginning of 2020. Many countries actually underestimate the presence of COVID-19. They consider that the corona virus is just a common flu and not deadly.

There are also those who think that the corona cannot be transmitted in tropical countries. The view of underestimating the corona virus also comes from Terawan Agus Putranto. The Minister of Health considers the corona to be just a common cold. In fact, he considers that the common cold is actually more dangerous than COVID-19.

Terawan also invited the people of Indonesia to continue to maintain their health until they strengthen their body's immunity. Terawan advised the mass media not to exaggerate reporting on the virus affairs from Wuhan. Terawan considered the Ministry of Health to be able to immediately fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Terawan's view is actually far from the fire. The corona virus problem is getting more complicated. The virus is able to spread quickly. The hospital is full. The death toll is also increasing. This condition also disrupts the national economy.

All the people immediately condemned Terawan. Terawan was asked to be serious in fighting COVID-19. All the people want the government to immediately issue a precise protocol so that they are not infected with the virus. Criticism of Terawan is indeed still coming. Interestingly, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) immediately took a stance.

He immediately replaced Terawan with Budi Gunadi Sadikin as Minister of Health. Budi was officially inaugurated by Jokowi on December 23, 2020. Budi is expected to focus on tackling COVID-19 affairs.

"Especially regarding the tasks requested by the President to be focused on immediately so that we can handle this COVID-19 problem as quickly and as best as possible. So that all students can go back to school immediately, so that all entrepreneurs can immediately return to their shops, so that all our families can return to meet, and so that all Indonesian people can live a normal life again," said Budi as quoted by lamandetik.com, December 23, 2020.

Budi's election as Minister of Health was controversial. Budi is considered to have no background in dealing with the health world. Budi's life is considered to be focused on the banking world. Rumors also spread that the post of Minister of Health was given because Budi came from a family of famous politicians: Ali Sadikin.

People assume that the speculation arose because Budi and the Governor of DKI Jakarta in the 1966-1977 era both had the last name Sadikin. Later Budi also spoke up. He confirmed that he had no relationship at all with Ali Sadikin on January 12, 2021.

He emphasized that his father was Sadikin Sumintawikarta. Sadikin himself is from Garut, not from Sumedang as Ali Sadikin. Budi's father is the Director of the Bogor Botanical Garden. The latter then ended the rumors that Budi was part of the Ali Sadikin family.

"My father's name is Sadikin Sumintawikarta, it has nothing to do with Ali Sadikin (former Governor of DKI Jakarta)," said Budi, greeted with laughter from members of Commission IX of the DPR in a working meeting as quoted by the lamantempo.co, December 12, 2021.