Observer Praises Puan Maharani's Critical Attitude, Even Though She's From The Coalition Party But Urges Pertamina's Audit

JAKARTA - The chairman of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, has asked PT Pertamina (Persero) to immediately conduct an audit of the security system at her oil refineries. The brush was appreciated because the Pertamina oil refinery fire had caused public anxiety.

"Puan asks Pertamina to be responsible for representing the people. Moreover, she is the number one person who represents the people. And that is a form of concern for the people", said Political Observer from Pelita Harapan University (UPH), Emrus Sihombing, to reporters, Tuesday, November 16.

Emrus assessed that Puan showed her independence as a representative of the people even though she came from a party supporting the government. Puan is also considered to have done professional work.

“And this needs to be appreciated because Puan remains critical even though she comes from a party that supports the government. Because in the eyes of Puan Maharani, the interests of the people are the main interests. Including providing input and criticism to Pertamina", said Emrus.

To Pertamina, Puan requested that there be a security management audit because oil refinery fires have occurred repeatedly. In line with Puan, the PDIP Faction requested that the fire at the Pertamina oil refinery in Cilacap, Central Java, be thoroughly investigated.

PDIP and Puan reminded the need for a thorough investigation to end speculation about the cause of Pertamina's oil refinery fires that have occurred three times in 2021. Emrus said that Puan and PDIP are currently carrying out a supervisory function of the government.

“The government is not only President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin but there are assistants, ministers. This must also be controlled by the community, including the House of Representatives. Because the House of Representatives has a control function as a legislature”, he said.

"So Puan Maharani is carrying out a supervisory function. Moreover, this is related to the safety of Pertamina's employees and the people living around the oil refinery", Emrus added.

The Executive Director of Emrus Corner said that Puan's move to warn Pertamina was right. According to Emrus, the input from Puan must also be heard by the Government and Pertamina as a partner of the House of Representatives.

“The shareholder of Pertamina is the government, whose money comes from the people. Puan showed her side to the people. Because Pertamina belongs to the people", he said.

Emrus also assessed that the growing speculation related to the cause of the Pertamina oil refinery fire really needed attention from the House of Representatives. This is because the House of Representatives is a representative body of the people.

“Pertamina's success is profit and success for the people, but Pertamina's failure is a loss for the people, for example, this oil refinery fire. So, what Puan and the PDIP Faction have said is correct”, concluded Emrus.