Who Are The Former Officials That Luhut Insinuated About The Quarantine Discretion?

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan emphasized that the government decided all policies based on input from various experts.

This is related to the government's decision to give discretion to echelon 1 and above officials by allowing them to self-quarantine after returning from abroad.

"The government really does make all the policies based on input from various experts. We don't make up anything ourselves, we don't want to do anything ourselves," Luhut said in a virtual press conference, Monday, December 27.

Moreover, he said, this official quarantine dispensation was not only applied in Indonesia. The purpose of this dispensation is to maintain the smooth running of public services.

"Anything regarding travel discretion to echelon 1 and beyond is given universally, not only for Indonesia. Why? Because the state mechanism must continue, but of course with strict supervision," he said.

Therefore, he regretted that there were former government officials who took issue with the quarantine discretion of officials. Luhut, considers that the statement of the former official has provoked a gap between officials and ordinary people.

"Don't clash between government officials, between rich people and ordinary people. I think it's not wise for former officials to talk like that. We know what we are doing now with experience so far. We will give our best for this Republic. ," he said. Luhut did not mention the former official he was referring to. However, one of the former officials who took issue with this quarantine dispensation is the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti.

Through her Twitter account, Susi questioned why officials were allowed to quarantine at home, while ordinary people had to be quarantined in a centralized manner or at a hotel.

"Please enlightenment, why can officials & important people quarantine at their own homes?? Why can't people quarantine at home alone?? Why can only be thrifty or stingy officials / VIPs?? Why can't people be thrifty / stingy?? Why quarantine different," tweeted @susipudjiastuti.

Please enlighten me, why can officials & important people quarantine at their own homes ?? Why can't people quarantine at home ??Why can only be thrifty or stingy officials / VIPs?? Why can't people be thrifty / stingy ??why is the quarantine method different pic.twitter.com/PlYYQgDD6L

— Susi Pudjiastuti (@susipudjiastuti) December 21, 2021