TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko asserted that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo was the supreme commander in the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. He said all policies related to the pandemic containment were based on presidential instructions.

“I always say that the highest commander in handling COVID-19 is the President. Pak Luhut, Pak Airlangga all received very clear instructions at cabinet meetings from the President,” said Moeldoko after visiting the Kemayoran Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital, Central Jakarta, Friday, August 6.

Jokowi's steps as the commander, he added, were evident in his various quick steps in following up on field reports. For example, the state head ordered the Indonesian Military (TNI) to mobilize Hercules planes when the distribution of logistics aid from abroad was hampered.

“So this must not be debated anymore,” Moeldoko made the statement in response to public criticism and demand that Jokowi must take direct control in containing the pandemic. Recently, figures who were usually in the spotlight were the Java Bali restrictions or PPKM coordinator, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN) chairman Airlangga Hartarto.

Moeldoko further appealed to the public to voice constructive criticism. “Once again, don’t bring up unimportant issues. We welcome criticism, but let’s join hands to end this COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

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EGI ADYATAMA