Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Exposed To COVID-19, Temporary Interim Ad Department Held By The Minister Of BKPM

Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has tested positive for Covid-19.

The news was confirmed by the Head of the ESDM Click Bureau, Agung Pribadi, in his statement to the media, Friday, February 4. "The Minister is in good condition. Now he is isoman," said Agung briefly.

Meanwhile, to fill the temporary vacancy in the position of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, President Joko Widodo appointed the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia to be appointed as the ad interim Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

It was stated that the decree related to the appointment of Bahlil as the ad interim Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources had been issued on the previous day, Thursday, February 3.

Agung confirmed that the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources would recover and return to work next week.

"God willing, next week I will be back to work. Please pray," said Agung.

It was noted that the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources was the first minister to be exposed to COVID this year and the 6th Cabinet minister of President oko Widodo who was infected after Covid hit Indonesia since early 2020.

Previously, it was reported that Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi became the 76th COVID patient in Indonesia.

While still serving as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo was exposed to COVID-19 in early September 2020.

Fachrul Razi while still serving as Minister of Religion had also been infected with COVID-19 and was declared healthy at the end of September 2020.

The Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah is the fourth minister in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet to be exposed to COVID-19 and is followed by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto but has never officially announced.