IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – The newly-inaugurated Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, or known as Sandiaga Uno, revealed his reasons for accepting President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s offer to join the Indonesia Onward Cabinet. Sandi claimed it was the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Covid-19 is a game-changer. It changes everything. Especially during the last two weeks, I contemplated, tadabur, that we all have to unite in the end,” Sandi said at the Jakarta State Palace Complex on Wednesday, Dec. 23.
In the time of Covid-19, Sandi went on, everyone must make contributions to the nation and the state. “Set aside personal, political, or group interests. Everything we do is for the sake of the nation and the state. And if the country calls, I think this is the time we have responsibilities rest on each of our shoulders,” he added.
Sandi was Prabowo’s running mate in the 2019 Presidential Election against the incumbent Joko Widodo and Ma’ruf Amin. After losing the election, Prabowo joined Jokowi’s cabinet while Sandi asserted his stance to be outside the government.
On July 13, 2019, Sandiaga Uno said check and balance were necessary amid the fully-stuffed government of Jokowi. He claimed he was committed to democracy. “I must have the courage to faithfully guard this development as an opposition,” he said.
Read: Gerindra Optimistic about Sandiaga Uno’s Competence as State Minister
DEWI NURITA
