8 Strategic Positions Held By Luhut: The Man Who 'Serves' Worn When The Ministerial Chair Was Empty

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - In the era of President Jokowi's Jilidi 2 administration, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan was appointed as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment. However, the appointment of Luhut Pandjaitan to serve as ministerial chair turned out not only once.

Throughout 2020, Luhut was recorded as leading several ministerial posts. On the other hand, his initial position at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment was also unchanged. In one period, he served in at least two ministerial seats. This then earned Luhut the nickname of the Minister of All Affairs. Then, what strategic positions have Luhut held?

Luhut Becomes Minister of Transportation

The jargon "Kepala, pundak, Luhut lagi, Luhut lagi" was viral on social media in 2020. The viral jargon was triggered because President Jokowi gave Luhut several strategic positions, one of which was as Minister of Transportation.

At that time the position of Minister of Transportation was filled by Budi Karya Sumadi who was exposed to COVID-19, so he had to be treated at the Army Hospital. To fill the gap, the President appointed Luhut to replace Budi Karya temporarily.

"The Ministry of Transportation's task is tough at the moment, and the President appointed the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment as Minister for Ad Interim Transportation", said Pratikno.

Luhut Becomes Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries

President Jokowi appointed the man who is also nicknamed Lord Luhut to fill the position at the Ad Interim Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on November 25, 2020. Previously, the position was filled by Edhy Prabowo, who was later arrested by the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) because of the fry case.

The replacement of temporary officials was revealed in the Letter of the Minister of State Secretary Number B-918/M.Sesneg/D-3/AN.00.03/12/2020 dated December 2, 2020. The letter was addressed to the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

"We respectfully inform you that the President is pleased to appoint the Minister of Agriculture to replace the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment as the Ad Interim Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries", wrote State Secretary Pratikno in the letter.

Luhut Becomes Minister of Politics, Law, and Security

The man born in Toba Samosir was recorded as serving as the first minister when he was appointed as the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs for the Work Cabinet for the 2015-2016 period, which at that time was filled by Tedjo Edhy. After Luhut changed his position, Wiranto then filled him.

Luhut Becomes Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources

Luhut also served as Acting Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), replacing Archandra Thahar, who was dismissed by President Joko Widodo in 2016 because he still holds US citizenship. Luhut, who at that time became Minister of ESDM Ad Interim, resigned and was replaced by Ignasius Jonan.

Luhut Becomes Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs

President Jokowi gave up his position as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs in his first term. At that time Luhut replaced Rizal Ramli. This ministry post was later changed by President Jokowi in the nomenclature of this ministry with the addition of 'investment'.

Luhut Becomes Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment

This position was given by President Joko Widodo to Luhut during his second term. This position has made Luhut supervise several important agencies, namely the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK), the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, and the Ministry of PUPR.

Luhut Becomes Minister of Industry and Trade

Luhut's position this time is not in the Jokowi era, but in the era of Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. At that time he served as the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore. After that Luhut's position was filled by Rini Soemarno in the era of President Megawati.

Luhut Becomes Deputy Chair of the Covid-19 Control Policy Committee

In addition to occupying several ministerial seats, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan was also appointed to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in 9 provinces. The nine regions are DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Bali, North Sumatra, and Papua. The nine provinces are considered to have contributed greatly to the national economy.

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