The Difference Between Luhut And Muhadjir's Emergency PPKM Announcement, Evidence Of Minister Jokowi's Clumsy Communications

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan (DOK VOI)

JAKARTA - A political observer from Indonesia's Al Azhar University, Ujang Komarudin, advised the government to improve the messy style of public communication. The end of the government's statement regarding the emergency PPKM is an apology.

In addition to the public, communication patterns must also be improved between institutions and ministers. Because, there are often different opinions from one minister to another, even though the problem is the same.

For example, regarding the Emergency PPKM and handling of COVID-19. The Coordinating Minister for PKM said that the PPKM was extended until the end of July, while the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs would announce it in the next 2-3 days. Finally, create confusion in the community.

"That's the dullness, the tangled communication between institutions and the ministers themselves. So the information that shouldn't have been out having already been released", said Ujang to VOI, Monday, July 19.

This problem, he continued, has been going on for a long time so the government should be able to do better in coordination. Moreover, about the information that has not been announced to the public.

"This has happened from the beginning, the minister should have been orderly, they are educated, people. What should be said in the order, if it's not the time to say it, don't say it", said Ujang.

Ujang also advised the government to focus on working on dealing with COVID-19 without having to issue statements that would make it more difficult for the people.

"Now we just focus on how to deal with this pandemic so that the people are not difficult. That's what the people need", said Ujang.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, said President Joko Widodo had decided to extend the implementation of the emergency community activity restrictions (PPKM) until July 31, 2021.

"Earlier, the limited Cabinet meeting that I attended while I was in Sukoharjo (Central Java) has been decided by the President to continue until the end of July this PPKM", said Muhadjir, while visiting the University Club of UGM Hotel which is used as a shelter for COVID-19 patients in Yogyakarta, Friday, July 16.

One day later, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, stated that the government was still evaluating the implementation of the Emergency PPKM which had been running from July 3 to 20.

"Currently we are evaluating the Emergency PPKM, whether a further extension of time is needed, we will report it to the president, and I think in the next 2-3 days we will also officially announce it", Luhut said at a press conference, Saturday, July 17th.