Indonesian Minister Budi Karya Tests Positive for Coronavirus

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State Secretary Pratikno in a press conference today reveals that Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), which makes him the first Indonesian state-official confirmed positive for the virus. 

According to the State Secretary, the government obtained permission from family members and head of the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD Gatot Subroto) to announce Budi Karya’s condition. 

“With permission from family members, conveyed by the head of the RSPAD Gatot Subroto,” said Pratikno at the State Secretary Office on Saturday, March 14. 

Prior to this official confirmation, the Transportation Ministry’s spokesperson said that Budi Karya’s absence from any public appearance for several days past is due to the minister being treated for typhus and asthma. 

Minister Budi Karya Sumadi’s last public appearance was during the repatriation of 69 Diamond Princess cruise ship’s Indonesian crew members at the Kertajati Airport in Majalengka on March 2. The crew members were evacuated by the Indonesian government due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown aboard the cruise ship.

Days after that, Budi Karya was reportedly treated due to an illness and only appeared again in the bilateral meeting with the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, which was held at the PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II headquarters in the Port of Tanjung Priok on Wednesday, March 11. 

EKO WAHYUDI | FRANSISCA CHRISTY