Jakarta: Several members of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s expert staff have received public criticism over conflicts of interest regarding double roles in public service and private interests, especially during the Covid-19 outbreak. Adamas Belva Devara, co-founder of education technology start-up Ruangguru, is the latest staffer to experience backlash following the naming of his company as one of the government’s eight partners in the pre-employment card programme.
The programme, which was launched on Saturday, offers social aid similar to unemployment benefits with a total worth of 20 trillion rupiah (US$5.5bil).