Indonesia Highlights: Jokowi Installs Two Ministers, National Research Chief | Indonesia Temporarily Bans Flights from India: Tourism Minister | Indonesian Police Bust Medical Workers Reusing Old Rapi

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – President Joko Widodo has tinkered with his cabinet once again, as he merged two ministries in an effort to streamline the cabinet.

Indonesia is the latest nation to ban flights from India, as the country’s uncontrolled Covid-19 outbreak rendered the it off limits.

And Indonesian state-owned pharmaceutical company Kimia Farma’s credibility took a hit, after the police arrested a number of employees from one of its subsidiaries in North Sumatra for reusing old rapid tests kits. This and more on Indonesia Highlights:

YouTube/Sekretariat Presiden Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has appointed Bahlil Lahadalia as the new minister of Investment and Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head in a ceremony held at the State Palace on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Bahlil previously served as BKPM head before the two institutions have previously also been merged.

Jokowi Installs Two Ministers, National Research Chief

Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated two ministers and head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) at the State Palace in the capital Jakarta on Wednesday, April 28.

Nadiem Makarim, who previously served as minister of Education and Culture, has been appointed as the new minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology following the merger of the two ministries.

It was reported that the previous minister of Research and Technology/BRIN head, Bambang Brodjonegoro, had resigned from his post.

Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Bahlil Lahadalia has been named as the new minister of Investment and BKPM head after the two institutions have previously also been merged.

Meanwhile, Jokowi also appointed Laksana Tri Handoko as the National Research and Innovation Agency head. Previously, Laksana served as the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) head.

The appointment was based on the presidential decree No. 72/2021 on the formation and remuneration and replacement of several state ministers in President Jokowi's cabinet for the 2019-2024 term.