Karen Agustiawan Is Still Considered Professional

Former President Director of Pertamina, Karen Agustiawan. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Even though he was named a suspect, it turned out that former Pertamina President Director Karen Agustiawan was actually assessed by several circles, having high professionalism and performing very well. This was conveyed, among others, by the Advisory Council of the Indonesian Panasbumi Association (API) Abadi Poernomo and Executive Director of Indonesian Resources Studies (IRICS), Marwan Batubara.

"During my work with Mrs. Karen, I considered it very professional. It means that being professional is in a condition that everything is on track," Abadi told the media, Thursday, September 21. In Abadi's observations, Karen is not a 'different' figure. Evidently, during her leadership, Pertamina was considered calm and there was no turmoil. Likewise, Karen often dared to make decisions. Many of these decisions benefit Pertamina, although some do not.

"Era Bu Karen, at that time also received a Fortune Global 500 award," he continued.

Abadi also highlighted Karen as the first woman to serve as President Director (Director) of Pertamina. As is known, Karen served as President Director of Pertamina in the 2009-2014 period. While the previous President Director, it took only two years and was always held by men.

"Mr. Karen served for that long because she was able to keep Pertamina sustainable," he added.

For Abadi, managing a company with a revenue of hundreds of trillions of rupiah is not easy. Moreover, it is still burdened with fuel subsidies so that Pertamina's duties are not light.

The same thing was expressed by the Executive Director of Indonesian Resources Studies (IRSESS), Marwan Batubara. According to him, Karen is a professional in her field and only works for the benefit of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

This, added Marwan, was shown, among other things, when he refused to extend the work contract of the French company, Total Oil in the Mahakam Block.

"That's a good point. Regarding the agenda behind it, it's only for the benefit of SOEs," said Marwan.

Marwan emphasized that Karen's attitude shows the public's desire to provide management of the Mahakam Block to Pertamina, because it is capable. For this reason, Karen had written to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources at that time stating that Pertamina was able to work on the Mahakam Block.

Karen at that time also implemented public information disclosure so that the public knew the real problem from the Mahakam Block problem.

"So, he is a professional," concluded Marwan.