Assessed As Temperamental, Luhut Is Considered Unsuitable To Be The Java-Bali Emergency PPKM Coordinator PP

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan (DOK Setkab)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, apologized for the non-optimal Emergency Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM). Luhut said he would continue to work hard to ensure that the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 could be brought down.

A political observer from Al Azhar University Indonesia, Andriadi Achmad assessed that under current conditions a temperamental figure such as Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is not suitable to be the coordinator of Emergency PPKM.

Because he said, people are not rebels who must receive a 'threat' statement. In the tense situation due to the recent spike in COVID-19 in Indonesia, the government needs a humanist approach in dealing with society, not using bluffs or threats.

"Luhut is too rude when he says that COVID-19 can be controlled. If anyone who doesn't believe is asked to appear, he will present his data that COVID-19 is under control. That's an inappropriate sentence as if people are being bullied and threatened to believe that COVID-19 in Indonesia is under control", said Andriadi to VOI, Monday, July 19.

In fact, it is uncontrollable from the reality of the spike in COVID-19 in Indonesia, even the highest in the world. "Likewise, Luhut's own expression later apologized to the Indonesian people", he continued.

According to Andriadi, if the Emergency PPKM is to be extended, Luhut's position as the Emergency PPKM coordinator needs to be evaluated and even replaced with a more humanist and less temperamental figure.

"Actually, the COVID-19 phenomenon is a threat to the Indonesian state and people (non-military), the direct command should be in the hands of the president of the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs or the Minister of Defense or the head of PNPB (Non-tax revenue). However, what is the reason for the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment who is the command of this Emergency PPKM? It also raises questions", he said.

In addition, said Andriadi, Luhut's apology to the public is a form of the government's failure to control the pace of COVID-19. In fact, from the beginning, the government should have invited all elements of society to work for hand in hand and help in dealing with the spread of COVID-19.

"Because the purpose of this Emergency PPKM is clear to stop community activities for a while to reduce mobility. So that it can break the chain of transmission of COVID-19", he said.

Andriadi added that the government needs to pay attention to or cooperate with the private sector to provide compensation for necessities or other social assistance to people whose activities have been stopped. Especially small communities or MSME actors who are greatly affected by the Emergency PPKM.

"I think this is a form of government's humanism towards the people", said Andriadi.

It is known, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, once said that the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia can be controlled.

Luhut dismissed various assumptions that stated that the pandemic condition in the country was out of control.

"So if someone says that the situation is out of control, it is very, very under control. So those who talk about it being out of control can come to me. Later I will show them that we are under control", Luhut said at an online press conference on Monday, July 12.

A few days later, Saturday, July 17, Luhut apologized for the non-optimal emergency PPKM.

"As the coordinator of the Java Bali Emergency PPKM from the bottom of my heart, I apologize to all Indonesian people if it is still not optimal. But I along with the ranks and with the relevant ministers will continue to work hard to ensure that the spread of the delta variant can be reduced", said Luhut.