Luhut Fills 5 Positions from Jokowi; Spokesman Explains

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo appointed Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the team head of Gerakan Nasional Bangga Buatan Indonesia or Proud of Indonesian Products National Movement. The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment thus holds five positions in the government.

When asked about whether Luhut is overwhelmed by his many jobs, his spokesman Jodi Mahardi said Luhut is only part of the team. According to him, the tasks of the team were executed by cross ministries, MSMEs, companies, and community groups.

“It’s not the job of Pak Luhut alone. Pak Luhut is appointed to coordinate the team only,” said Jodi on Monday, September 20.

Jokowi has thus far trusted Luhut to serve in various positions, from the deputy chair of the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN), the coordinator of Java-Bali PPKM, up to the steering committee chairman of National Priority Lake Rescue Team.

Jodi explained the Proud of Indonesian Products National Movement has been running for quite a long time to support MSMEs as it was launched by the President on May 14, 2020.

He stopped short of specifically mentioning why the President appointed Luhut, underlining that the state head trusted Luhut to lead the coordination, “since the program was launched,” Jodi added.

Narasi Institute Executive Director Achmad Nur Hidayat criticized the President’s decision. “Does the president not trust other ministers?” said Achmad in Jakarta, Monday, September 20.

Achmad opined the kind of tasks should be held by the Trade Minister or the Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He said Jokowi should be more confident with the organizational system in the government, rather than putting trust personal by personal. “We are talking about a better system because it will be more sustainable,” he said.

Read: Minister Luhut Pandjaitan Laments 41 Million Vaccine Doses Yet to be Used

FAJAR PEBRIANTO