Minister Of Transportation Budi Karya Admits That He Will Continue To Monitor The Meeting Even Though He Is Being Treated Due To COVID-19

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya (Photo: Capture YouTube screen courtesy of Cabinet Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi finally participated in a limited meeting and held an online press conference after he was treated for about one month due to contracting the corona virus or COVID-19.

Budi said that while he was being treated at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, he kept abreast of developments in the field, especially those related to the Ministry of Transportation which were conveyed in the form of minutes of the meeting. He admitted that he also discussed two Minister of Transportation Regulations (Permenhub) that were issued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, namely Permenhub 18/2020 and Permenhub 25/2020.

"It was carried out several times over, but I did not participate, but I asked for material and participated in discussing the Permenhub. The Permenhub derivatives came from the minutes of the meeting. It could be said that the Ministry of Transportation was ordered to arrange a follow-up on the ban on going home," Budi said in an online press conference broadcast on the Cabinet Secretariat's YouTube account, Monday, April 27.

Budi appreciated the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who was his replacement, while being treated in hospital. He also commented on the Permenhub issued by Luhut, which he said had no legal flaws and no complaints from any party.

On the other hand, Budi said that he had coordinated with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Seskab Pramono Anung, TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and National Police Chief Idham Azis regarding the ban on going home. One of the things discussed was about logistics delivery.

"Yesterday I spoke with the National Police Chief and the National Police Chief agreed, four Director Generals to five regions, namely Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java and East Java. I met the Director General and I immediately called, 'logistics can't'. I told the Police Chief, "Don't be so stiff, when the onion basket (seller) can't walk," he said.

Even though he has now returned to his activities by following a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo and other ministers, Budi said that he would only be active, after the 14-day self-isolation period was over, on May 5.

"I will only exist on May 5 after the (independent) isolation period is over," he said.

He admitted that he missed working and serving the reporters. Budi was also touched when there were 40 reporters who cheered him on when he was sick. "I thank you for your support and prayers that Indonesia will be more victorious," he said.

Previously reported, on March 14, the Government announced the health status of the Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi (BKS) who tested positive for the corona virus or COVID-19. Budi Karya is currently being treated at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital. Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan was appointed as a temporary replacement.

Minister of State Secretary Pratikno said the family had given permission from his party and the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital to convey the status of Budi Karya who was positive for COVID-19. As Minister of Transportation, Budi's mobility is very high, he is at the forefront and is actively dealing with the impact of the virus.

"Of course, there are so many tasks of the Ministry of Transportation involved. Starting from evacuation, providing facilities that require the function of the Ministry of Transportation. Once again this is his involvement. His hard work is extraordinary to be part of the impact management. I have received a report from the Minister of Health that the condition of the Minister of Transportation. the better, "said Pratikno when announcing Budi Karya's health some time ago.