Indonesia’s Former VP Jusuf Kalla: Don’t Expect Help during Coronavirus Pandemic

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s former Vice President Jusuf Kalla said a leader must be self-reliant in managing the coronavirus pandemic rather than expect help from other countries.

“Indonesia shouldn’t expect to receive aid from Japan, China, the United States, or Europe because they too have been affected,” said Jusuf, referring to how Indonesia deals with the Covid-19 crisis.

Jusuf said it is a leader’s duty to also unite society during the Covid-19 crisis because, without unity, nothing will get completed or decided.

Jusuf served twice as Indonesia’s Vice President under then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and during current President Jokowi’s first term.

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It makes no difference if a country is classified an advance economy as this does not guarantee it will be exempt from facing the Covid-19 crisis, said Indonesia's former Vice President. 

The speed and assertiveness of a leader in handling a pandemic like Covid-19 are key to achieving public adherence to official instructions, Jusuf said.

At the same time, Indonesians ought to use the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to assess the competency of their leaders, he said.

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The ability of a leader to address a crisis will have a positive impact on that leader’s political standing.

He suggested that Indonesia learn from the experience of other countries in their management of the coronavirus pandemic. These include South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

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“We need their experience and we can learn from them. Don’t expect material help, but help in sharing experiences and access,” said Jusuf.

Synergy, experience, information, and systems are highly useful once a Covid-19 vaccine is found, he added

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