TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he accepted the decisions of his two millennial special staffers, Adamas Belva Devara and Andi Taufan Garuda Putra, to resign from their positions.

“I understand why Belva Devara and Andi Taufan decided to resign. They are young people who are brilliant, intelligent, and have excellent reputations and achievements,” said the President in a press statement, Friday, April 24.

The two were among the seven presidential special staffers from the millennial generation inaugurated on November 21, 2019. Belva is the CEO and founder of online learning platform RuangGuru, while Andi Taufan is the CEO of financial technology of fintech startup PT Amartha Fintek.

Both submitted their resignations on April 17, 2020, after following public controversies. Belva was deemed to have a conflict of interest since his company was involved in a government’s program, while Andi was implicated in a scandal after sending a circular to regional community heads, in which he demanded support for his startup’s program.

The President explained that since the beginning, he wanted youngsters such as Belva and Andi to have a chance to learn and participate in governance. Although he understood their reasons, Jokowi lamented their decisions. “I initially want them to know about the government and public policy,” said the state head.

He recalled that while carrying out their duties, Belva and Andi had helped to provide innovative ideas in various public service systems so as to make it faster and more effective. He also wished them success.

“I believe, inshallah, they will be successful in their respective expertise. Belva in the education sector, and Andi Taufan in fintech, microfinance, and business sectors,” said Jokowi.

EGI ADYATAMA