Indonesian Health Minister Pushed by President for WHO Director-General Role

Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has revealed that President Prabowo Subianto has encouraged him to run for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Sadikin is among four candidates who have officially registered or been nominated for the role.

Sadikin shared the mandate given by President Prabowo, emphasizing his commitment to executing any task assigned by the President to the best of his ability. "It is a mandate from the President. So, of course, I will work for the President, whatever task he gives, we will carry it out as best as possible," Sadikin told reporters after a working meeting with Commission IX of the House of Representatives in Jakarta.

According to Sadikin, Prabowo believes that Indonesia, as a significant nation, has never had a representative in major global organizations like the UN. Therefore, seeing an opportunity, Prabowo tasked Sadikin with pursuing the WHO leadership. "So when he saw this opportunity, I was assigned there," he said. Sadikin also noted that many countries desire reforms within global organizations, including the WHO, and see potential in Indonesia under Prabowo's presidency.

Regarding his position within the current cabinet should he be elected WHO chief, Sadikin confirmed he would resign. The election for the new WHO Director-General is slated for May of the following year. "Yes [I would resign from the cabinet] if elected [as WHO Director-General], but it's not a certainty because the election involves 194 member states in May," he stated. As of this report, the Presidential Palace has not issued an official statement regarding the 'task' given by Prabowo to Sadikin.