Observer: Luhut And Erick Apologize To Be Appreciated, But If You Fail, You Should Withdraw

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan and Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir. (Photo: Kemenko Marves)

JAKARTA - Two ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet who are in charge of the COVID-19 pandemic, namely Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment as well as Coordinator for Enforcement of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and SOE Minister Erick Thohir apologized to the public.

Even though the apology is a positive thing, any public official who fails to carry out his duties should step down. This was conveyed by the Executive Director of Indonesia Political Review (IPR) Ujang Komarudin.

"It is positive if there are officials who are considered to be working poorly or fail to apologize to the public, but if their work fails, they should resign," Ujang told reporters, Tuesday, July 20.

"If abroad, they have resigned. However, the problem is that we don't have a culture of ministers resigning," he added.

Ujang wasn't sure whether the apology was sincere or just an image. However, he considered that the statement was made because of criticism and pressure from the public recently.

Moreover, ministers often feel great and feel powerful. Thus, when talking and making policies, it is often considered not to pay attention to the condition of the community.

So, said Ujang, this apology could be because officials are starting to understand that people can criticize them.

"In the past maybe they were very confident, and now people are starting to criticize their self-confidence," said Ujang.

He reminded officials that the community is currently in trouble and suffering. Thus, the narratives made by the government and public officials should not be considered detrimental to the community.

As for the community, Ujang said the community must forgive. In addition, all parties must now work together to solve the problem of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

"This apology must be appreciated and it is our duty to forgive while we work together to solve the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

After Luhut apologized for the less than optimal implementation of the Emergency PPKM, now it was the turn of the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, to apologize. He admitted that the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic carried out by the Ministry of SOEs and all state-owned companies had not been maximized.

"Of course we, the Ministry of SOEs, humbly apologize when the assignments given to us are not perfect because perfection belongs only to Allah SWT," he said in a virtual press conference, Monday, July 19.

He said, his party always strives to provide the best service for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erick said that the government wants to ensure that people can recover.

"All ministries when COVID-19 works 24 hours, we unite our hearts that we never get tired of serving our people," he said.