New Health Minister: President Jokowi Told Me to Quickly Handle Pandemic

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin delivers press statement after being inaugurated, Wednesday (23/12), at the State Palace, Jakarta. (Photo: Rahmat/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered the newly-inaugurated Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin to focus on handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The President has told me to handle the pandemic to recover the people’s lives as soon as possible,” Budi said after being inaugurated by President Jokowi at the State Palace, Jakarta.

Budi, who replaced Terawan as Minister of Health, added that the pandemic must be resolved quickly so that all students can return to school, MSME entrepreneurs can reopen their business, all families can stay in touch again, and all Indonesian people can live normally.

However, the Minister admitted that his Ministry needs support from all parties, including medical associations, local, provincial, regency and municipal governments, as well as all elements of society.

“Hopefully soon we can overcome this pandemic and return to normal life for a better Indonesia,” he said. (FID/UN) (EST/EP)