Again, Jokowi Insinuated His Ministers for Doing Ordinary Works in the Midst of a Crisis

Presiden Joko Widodo saat memimpin rapat terbatas (Foto: Sekretariat Kabinet RI)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo once again flicked his ministers who have not yet demonstrated their ability to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He even confessed that he was confused by the performance of his ministers who seemed to not understand the priority of COVID-19 handling.

"In ministries, in institutions, I couldn't feel the aura of the crisis. Still trapped in the daily works, don't understand the priority that needs to be done," Jokowi said when opening a limited meeting related to COVID-19 handling and the National Economic Recovery. It was aired on the YouTube account of the Presidential Secretariat, Monday, August 3.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta then alluded to the realization of the budget, so that economic affairs related to household consumption and people's purchasing power were still very minimal.

Jokowi even said that the total stimulus budget of IDR 695 trillion for COVID-19 handling was only 20%, which was realized by ministries and institutions. "IDR 141 trillion has been realized, once again, only 20%. It is still very small," he stressed.

"The highest absorption in social protection is 38%, then the UMKM program is 25%. Be careful, without DIPA it's already large, 40%. There is no DIOA yet, how could it be realized," he said.

Furthermore, Jokowi then requested that his staff conduct crisis management by relying on speed.

"Therefore, I ask the Chairperson of this matter, one by one, from the relevant ministers. So, crisis management looks fast, troubleshooting, smart shortcut, and the results are really effective. We need speed," he concluded.