Penny Kusumastuti Lukito: President says to strengthen BPOM

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo appointed Penny Kusumastuti Lukito as chairperson of the Food and Drug Oversight Board (BPOM) two weeks ago in the midst of the counterfeit vaccine scandal. She said the President had asked her to enforce BPOM's oversight authority. "He tasked me with monitoring BPOM until it had a strong legal basis," said Penny.

She revealed that BPOM's legal basis so far was no more than a presidential decree. "We really need a legislation, because the task of overseeing food and drugs is part of the national strategy," said Penny.

One day after she was sworn in, Penny, who earned her doctorate in urban and regional planning from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, USA, met with Tempo reporters Abdul Manan, Martha Warta Silaban and Mitra Tarigan for a special interview.

During the hour-long interview, Penny clarified a number of issues, ranging from the overlapping authority between BPOM and the health ministry, and her priorities to address the fake vaccine scandal. "This case is proof that BPOM must be given a strong authority (to act)," said Penny, adding that "the President sees this authority as a priority." During the interview, she was accompanied by BPOM expert staffer Budi Djani Purwanto, who assisted in explaining a number of legal and regulatory issues.

Do you think your appointment as head of BPOM was timely? 

It was coincidental. But I feel that behind that coincidence is the understanding of many relevant people on the main duties and functions of BPOM, which in reality has been hampered in carrying out its mandate because of the lack of a legal basis. The institution's legal basis is a Presidential Decree under Government and Non-Ministerial Affairs. There's no special legislation on our institution. So we really need one because the work of monitoring drugs and food is part of the national strategy.

Were you surprised that your appointment came amidst such a crisis? 

I feel grateful to have been given the confidence. I was not really surprised since I am always ready to do my duty. I have been assigned everywhere in my 25 years of working at Bappenas (the National Development Planning Board). Of course, there was a process, selection and all that. During the selection process, which took quite a long time, the (fake vaccine) case had already surfaced. The President noticed that there was a problem, not in substance but in the managerial aspect. What was needed was a person who could look in broad terms because there are already many competent people (at BPOM). Maybe an outsider would be able to look at the issues from a wider perspective. And that has been proven by the disclosure of the fake vaccines network, which is being exposed more and more. So (the system) must be (corrected) because there seems to be an overlap of the monitoring system.

When were you informed of your new job?

About three days before I was sworn in. Then I was summoned by the President and given my special assignment. I was entrusted with reinforcing the legality of BPOM. He understood the problem and the dialog with the health ministry.

What was the President's special message?

His special message was to strengthen and reform (BPOM) in line with reforms of the bureaucracy, particularly in sectors providing public service and those that are part of the national strategy, like BPOM that monitors and oversees (the administration of) drugs and food.

Did the President specifically mention the fake vaccine problem?

Yes. Vaccines are a sensitive subject because parents had put their trust in our health services. This case is proof that BPOM must be given strong authority and the President sees this authority as a priority. He really supports this and has tasked me with ensuring that (BPOM) has a legal basis. BPOM will be strengthened considerably by a legislation, of course, with the support of the House of Representatives (DPR).

What specific institutional strengthening is needed? 

We will look into the specifics. What is important, we will put in detail and analyze the overlap with the health ministry. We will hold meetings with the cabinet secretariat and the health ministry. The cabinet secretariat agreed totally with the President's instructions, which will become their commitment.

Have you coordinated this with the health ministry? 

Yes, specifically with the health minister. All our regulations still come from the health ministry and the health law.

From that meeting, did you come to any agreement? 

Yes. The initial agreement was a presidential decree covering the oversight of food and drugs. The health ministry was asked to provide input. After all, our regulations came from that department. But very quickly, the President said in a private meeting with me that he would revoke the presidential decree and asked that I work alongside with the cabinet secretariat and the state secretary.

Authority to monitor alongside the health ministry became a priority?

Yes, that was the middle road and to make it fast. That was initiated by the DPR during the hearing, health ministry regulations and the legislation. I myself have not been involved yet in sessions (with the DPR).

So, oversight authority will be given back to BPOM? 

Budi: Discussions on revising health ministry regulations do not take away or return authority. BPOM simply gets access to enable oversight and supervision.

What kind of authority should BPOM have to prevent a recurrence of the fake vaccine problem? 

We don't monitor illegal items. (*)

Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine