Faisal Basri Slams Jokowi's Covid-19 Handling as Ministers Busy with Investment

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Senior economist from the University of Indonesia, Faisal Basri, criticized the way President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo handled the coronavirus pandemic. He assessed that ministers responsible for the Covid-19 issue were busy with investment.

“Pak President, ministers who are responsible for handling Covid-19 are busier with investment. They often go abroad for days,” Faisal tweeted on his Twitter account @FaisalBasri on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Faisal suggested the government form a full-time team so that the pandemic could quickly end. According to him, the president could not fully expect the ministers to contain the pandemic as they already have many tasks aside from virus matters.

“This is not a side job. Establish a full-time team consisting of professionals and experts,” Faisal asked. "Mr. President, please save Indonesia immediately."

Indonesia’s Covid-19 number continues to soar. As of December 3, the country recorded 8,369 new cases, pushing the total tally to 557,877.

Throughout the pandemic, four of Jokowi's ministers were confirmed positive for the disease. They were Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi; Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister, who recently resigned, Edhy Prabowo; Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi; and Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah.

Read: Jokowi Believes Indonesia Economy Has Passed the Lowest Point

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA