Rector Ari Kuncoro's Tail Resigns, Arief Puyuono Asks Jokowi To Fire Erick Thohir Of His Own Volition

Gerindra politician Arief Puyuono (Photo: Screenshot from Youtube @Najwa Shihab)

JAKARTA - Gerindra politician Arief Puyuono gives a thumbs up to the Chancellor of the University of Indonesia (UI) Ari Kuncoro who is willing to step down from his position as Deputy President Commissioner of BRI.

According to him, other university rectors who still serve as commissioners in BUMN, should imitate what Ari Kuncoro did.

"The UI Chancellor who resigned deserves our thumbs up because he still has shame," said Arief, Friday, July 23.

Nevertheless, said Arief, President Joko Widodo should immediately sack SOE Minister Erick Thohir who had caused a commotion in the midst of the COVID-19 spike. This is because Ari Kuncoro's dual position as a rector of UI and a commissioner in a state-owned company has created a polemic.

“Erick Thohir had to be fired because Sakarepe dhewe (at will, ed) works and makes a lot of noise. He has also failed to do well while working on SOEs," said the general chairman of the United State-Owned Enterprises Federation of Labor Unions.

As a result of Erick Thohir's carelessness in choosing commissioners in BUMN, said Arief, President Jokowi's concentration in managing Emergency PPKM has become branched.

The president, he continued, must take care of the problems arising from Erick Thohir's decision. Jokowi must revise the rules, which are substantially unimportant for the safety of the people afflicted by the pandemic.

Arief found it strange that the rules were so easily changed in the president's office. He is worried that President Joko Widodo will repeat his excuse for not reading the signed draft again.

"That's why Jokowi's talk about not allowing state officials to hold concurrent positions is inversely proportional to the rules that allow concurrent positions," said Arief.