Luhut Opens Up: Jokowi Always Appoints When Indonesia Is In Crisis

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, openly answered the assumption that he was always chosen by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to solve important problems. This is because this is the second time he has been appointed by Jokowi to command the handling of COVID-19 in the country.

According to Luhut, he is the same as other ministers. He didn't feel special. But he suspects that Jokowi was appointed because of the aspect of compatibility with the work to be completed.

"There aren't many others, if that's what you ask the president. I'm the same as other ministers, maybe I'm older than many ministers, maybe the president sees me as more suitable to do this, assigned here," said Luhut in Deddy's Youtube podcast. Corbuzier as seen on Tuesday, July 6th.

Luhut's answer was triggered by Deddy's question about why President Jokowi always appoints him when something urgent arises.

However, Luhut admitted that he did not feel he was always appointed by Jokowi if there was an emergency.

"But I don't feel it," he said.

On that occasion, Luhut also praised the figure of President Jokowi. Luhut said Indonesia was lucky to have Jokowi, as a leader that his subordinates could emulate.

Among them, simple, not stealing people's money and hard workers. Compared to his previous superiors, Jokowi is called Luhut as having a leadership style that is 'something'.

"At least we don't imitate leaders who are not true. Because the president is not a thief, we also think about wanting to be a thief, let's say that. Why, shame on you. The leader is simple, works hard, wants to be right, is responsible, wants to seek where is it like that. Dare? I'm a soldier. I know, many of my former commanders. 'Wow, this is Pak Jokowi's style, yes, something'. I once said that, 'You should join Kopassus', "said Luhut.

It is known that Luhut's appointment to handle COVID-19 is not the first time. In mid-September last year, Luhut took command of handling Corona in 8 provinces.

At that time, President Jokowi ordered Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and former Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Doni Monardo to focus on dealing with Corona in 8 provinces.

"The president asked that in the past two weeks it was coordinated and concentrated more specifically in 8 areas that were affected by a greater increase. And assigned the deputy committee chairman, Pak Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and the head of the COVID Task Force to monitor and at the same time carry out evaluations," said KPCPEN Chairman, Airlangga Hartarto, in a statement. press conference broadcast on the Cabinet Secretariat's YouTube account, Monday, September 14, 2020.

In those two weeks Luhut was asked to handle eight provinces namely DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi, South Kalimantan and Papua based on a local-based strategy.

Then for the second time, in the midst of a spike in COVID-19 cases, the four-star general returned to command the handling of Corona.

Luhut was again appointed by President Jokowi to take command of the Emergency PPKM in Java and Bali as Deputy Chair of the COVID-19 Handling Committee. Of the various emergency PPKM schemes, it was Luhut's proposal that was approved by Jokowi.

Jokowi's trust in Luhut is reflected in a press statement announcing the emergency PPKM, Thursday, July 1, 2021. Jokowi assigned Luhut to explain in detail the provisions of the emergency PPKM.

"In detail how to arrange this emergency PPKM, I have asked the Coordinating Minister for Marinvest to explain as clearly as possible in detail about this restriction," said Jokowi.