Government Appoints Wiku Adisasmito To Be Spokesperson For COVID-19 Replacing Yuri

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Economic Recovery Team Airlangga Hartarto announced that the current government spokesman in handling COVID-19 is Wiku Adisasmito, the Expert Team for the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19. Wiku replaces Achmad Yurianto (Yuri) who has been on duty since March 3.

Furthermore, Airlangga announced that Deputy Minister of BUMN Budi Gunadi Sadikin would be the spokesman for the economic task force. His job will be different from Wiku's, Budi takes care of information related to the economy.

"There will be an addition, the government spokesperson here will be appointed Prof. Wiku from BNPB and Pak Budi Gunadi Sadikin specifically for the economic task force," he said, during a video conference with journalists, Tuesday, July 21.

This team reshuffle in handling COVID-19 was passed through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 82 of 2020 regarding the handling of COVID-19 and national economic recovery which was issued on Monday, July 20.

Through this Presidential Regulation, the government's focus is divided into handling COVID-19 and the economy at the same time.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19 is occupied by the Chair of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Doni Munardo.

Then, Minister of BUMN Erick Thohir was appointed as head of the implementation team tasked with coordinating the Economic Task Force and the COVID-19 Task Force.

When confirmed, the Government Spokesperson for Handling COVID-19 Achmad Yurianto also confirmed this. His job, now will be carried out by Prof. Wiku from BNPB.

"Yes, that's right (continued by Prof. Wiku)," Yuri said via short message.