Interview

I Can’t be Bribed

Since his recent appointment as the Naritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has already annulled three regulations on lobster larvae export and the use of trawl issued by his predecessor, Edhy Prabowo, who was arrested in the lobster larvae export graft case. The former deputy minister of defense with extensive experience in telecommunication is in the process of issuing regulations to ban the export of lobster larvae and the use of cantrang or trawl to prevent overfishing and ecological destruction. Given the task by the President to improve the welfare of fishermen, Trenggono is trying to steer the farmers toward fish farming which he believes will bring prosperity to the country’s small-scale fishers. He also vowed not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessor.

Interview

We Almost Stumbled

Muhammad Lutfi immediately stepped on the gas right after he was sworn in as trade minister on December 23, 2020. The former envoy to the United States must focus on three main duties mandated to him by President Joko Widodo: to maintain price stability; to help MSMEs penetrate the export market; and, to expand the export market to non-traditional territories by making use of the international economic cooperation agreements Indonesia has signed. According to him, China and the United States are extremely important to Indonesia.

 

Interview

I’m Not a Magician

Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra inherited a plethora of problems when he joined the national flag carrier last year. Now, if he is not exploring maneuvers to turn the financially-distressed company around amid dwindling number of passengers or taking care of the thorny plane rental contract, Irfan shepherds Garuda as a pivotal airline in distributing Covid-19 vaccines. Armed with extensive experience in leading various companies, Irfan Setiaputra pulls out all the stops to restore Garuda Indonesia’s image as a bona fide airline.

Interview

We Can’t be Dependent on Government

The traditional arts sector has been one of the most battered industry by the pandemic adversely affecting those who depend on stage performances for their livelihoods. Many traditional artists in rural areas have no choice but to turn into farmers, traders or online taxi drivers as they cannot rely only on government assistance to sustain themselves.

Interview

Government Shouldn’t Be a Stumbling Block

Having been appointed as the new minister for tourism and creative economy on December 23, Sandiaga Uno must now shoulder the responsibility of reviving the pandemic-hit tourism and creative economy industries. Amid the social restriction measures that continue to paralyze the two sectors, Sandiaga must strategize to work through a backlog of work that awaits him. His ministry must also adjust the foreign visitor target with the government’s Covid-19 response strategies.

Interview

This Is Our Opportunity to Raise Capital

In the midst of a flurry of activities to procure and distribute Covid-19 vaccines, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir has additional responsibility of overseeing the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) and the selection of the fund’s board members. The government is confident that the fund will help restore the national economy.

Interview

Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Health Minister: Vaccine is Not a Political Commodity

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin

Interview

Government Does Not Ban Independent Vaccines

Besides personally overseeing the distribution activities, Human Development and Culture Affairs Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Effendy is also involved in the preparation of the vaccination scheme. Muhadjir, who also holds the position of 3rd Deputy Chair of the Covid-19 Mitigation and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPCPEN), is one of the ministers who promoted independent or paid vaccination.

Scene & Heard

From De Niro until Tyson

Dino Patti Djalal and Susi Pudjiastuti get rare opportunities to chat directly with world’s personalities. Hollywood actor Robert De Niro and boxing legend Mike Tyson become their interviewees.

Interview

Public is No Longer Hiding Behind Us

Ahead of his demission at the end of January, Commissioner of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Alamsyah Saragih is still busy with speaking at various forums. He is also wrapping up final reports on cases such as the dual position held by state-owned enterprise (SOE) commissioners and the lobster larvae export scandal in which former maritime affairs and fishery minister Edhy Prabowo was implicated. According to him, public awareness is rising. "The public doesn’t just report to us and hide behind us anymore," he said.

Interview

We Are Always Critical of the Government

Chair of the IndonesiaN Bishops Conference and Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo

Interview

Agus Widjojo, Governor, National Resilience Institute: We Are Too Dependent on TNI

The army’s role in the recent sweeping operation to bring down the banners bearing Islam Defenders’ Front leader Muhammad Rizieq Shihab around Jakarta unsettled Agus Widjojo, governor of National Defense Institute (Lemhannas).

Scene & Heard

Voicing Out Against Harassment

Actress Marissa Anita and singer Mian Tiara, survivors of sexual harassment, decided to speak out. They are campaigning to banish violence against women. Dr. Sophia Hage and Ernest Prakasa are also doing their part.

Interview

Suharso Monoarfa, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency: We Pay Attention to Green Economy

National economy crippled by the Covid-19 has left very little room for the government to maneuver as the country slowly sank into recession. Like in many other countries, the hegovernment will focus the next year’s development agenda on the economic recovery.

Scene & Heard

The Ambassadors’ fond Memories

Indonesian Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Desra Percaya once worked as a janitor while studying in England. While Wahid Supriyadi wrote about his unique experiences while on assignment in Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.

Interview

We Will Probably Have to Live with the Coronavirus

David Handojo Muljono, Senior Researcher, Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology

Interview

There Is Vacuum in Muslim Leadership

Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, Former Vice President:

Interview

Taruna Ikrar, Chairman, Medical Council: No Need to be Afraid of Foreign Doctors

It is only a matter of time for foreign doctors to start work in Indonesia. According to Chairman of the Medical Council of the Indonesian Medical Council (KKI), Taruna Ikrar, sooner or later, Indonesian doctors across the archipelago must prepare themselves for tough competition.

Interview

Gustaf Rudolf Kawer, Chairman, Papuan Human Rights Lawyers’ Association:   Jokowi’s Approach to Papua Not Humanistic

The shooting of Pastor Yeremia Zanambani in Kampung Hitadipa in Intan Jaya Regency, Papua, on September 19 conjured up memories of similar incidents in Gustaf Rudolf Kawer’s mind.

Interview

There Will be Bigger Risks if the Elections Are Delayed

Arief Budiman, Chairman, General Elections Commission