Indonesia Cabinet Reshuffle Amid Controversy Over COVID-19 Response

First Non-Medical Professional Appointed as Minister of Health
In Charge of Nationwide Free Vaccination
All Six Including Social Affairs Officials Replaced Abruptly

[Asia Economy Jakarta Correspondent Sujin Choi] Indonesian President Joko Widodo has carried out a long-controversial cabinet reshuffle. According to local media on the 5th, President Jokowi executed a reshuffle on the 22nd of last month, replacing ministers of six ministries.

The direct background of this reshuffle is inadequate response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). President Jokowi expressed anger over the poor handling of COVID-19 in his cabinet speech last July.

President Jokowi first replaced Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto with Budi Gunadi Sadikin, former Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises. Minister Budi, the first non-medical professional to become Health Minister, is known for his achievements mainly in the financial sector, having served as president of Mandiri Bank, a state-owned bank.

Rismaharini, mayor of East Surabaya, was nominated as Minister of Social Affairs. Juliari Batubara, a member of the ruling party PDI-P and former Minister of Social Affairs, was arrested on embezzlement charges related to COVID-19 social assistance funds by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Sandiaga Uno, former Deputy Governor of Jakarta and businessman, was appointed Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Sandiaga Uno is known as one of Indonesia's top 100 wealthiest individuals and operates several financial consulting businesses and investment finance firms. Minister Sandiaga was the running mate of Prabowo, the current Minister of Defense and a presidential candidate in the last election, who competed against President Jokowi. With this, Jokowi's second-term administration includes all the opposition presidential candidates in the current cabinet.

The Minister of Religious Affairs was also replaced. Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of Religious Affairs, served as chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest youth Islamic group. He is a member of the National Awakening Party (PKB), having served as a member of parliament and Deputy Governor of Rembang region. Minister Yaqut's entry into the cabinet is interpreted as a resurgence of NU's influence. Vice President Ma'ruf Amin is also a former chairman of NU. Additionally, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Deputy Minister of Defense, was appointed Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and Muhammad Lutfi, currently serving as ambassador to the U.S., returned as Minister of Trade.

President Jokowi's second-term cabinet has been given the special mission of effectively responding to COVID-19, providing health support, and recovering the national economy. Especially as Indonesia recently has been reporting over 8,000 daily confirmed cases, securing and distributing vaccines has emerged as the biggest challenge. Newly appointed Health Minister Budi will prioritize the nationwide free vaccination program. The Indonesian government has included $3.8 billion in its budget for the vaccine program and allocated an additional $2.6 billion in extended funds. The 2021 national budget also includes $1.28 billion for vaccine funding.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.