The Position Of The Minister Of SOEs Is Empty, Who Is The Most Suitable To Replace Erick Thohir?

JAKARTA The position of Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) was vacant after President Prabowo Subianto appointed Erick Thohir as Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora).

Until now, it has not been announced who will replace Erick Thohir.

BUMN observer and NEXT Indonesia Center Director, Herry Gunawan, said that the vacancy in the position of the Minister of SOEs after being left by Erick Thohir was a momentum to review the existence of the Ministry of SOEs.

"The opportunity of the Ministry of SOEs after there are no more ministers, of course, three possibilities can remain standing as it is now and a new minister has been inaugurated, merged with Danantara, or dissolved," he told VOI, Thursday, September 18.

Herry said that if President Prabowo decided to maintain the Ministry of SOEs, Rosan Roeslani's name was most suitable to replace Erick Thohir. Moreover, Rosan also has a close relationship with President Prabowo so that he understands the vision and mission of government.

In addition, said Herry, Rosan also has a professional background, not a politician, so he is considered capable of bringing a business perspective in managing state companies.

"If that happens, he (Rosan) must resign from the Head of the Danantara Implementing Agency as well as the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming," Herry told VOI, Thursday, September 18.

In accordance with Government Regulation (PP) Number 10 of 2025, continued Herry, the Minister of SOEs automatically sits on the Supervisory Board of the Aerospace, not in the Executive Board. This means that the President must find a replacement figure for Rosan in the two strategic institutions.

"For Pak Rosan's replacement, of course there are many that can be targeted by the government. Especially from the private sector with a proven reputation. Both those with corporate restructuring experience, maupaun who have expertise in financial institutions or others," he said.

Outside Rosan, according to Herry, Muliaman Hadad's name also appears as a strong candidate. Currently, Muliaman serves as Deputy Chair of the Danantara Supervisory Board. Unlike Rosan, his position does not conflict with the rules if he is trusted to be Minister of SOEs.

"If he is the Minister of SOEs, there is no need to step down from his current position in Danantara, if he refers to the PP. The conditions are different from Rosan," continued Herry.

Selain itu, kata Herry, Muliaman juga punya reputasi panjang di bidang tata kelola. Ia pernah menjadi Ketua OJK pertama, dan sebelumnya Deputi Gubernur BI bidang Pengawasan.

Dengan pengalaman itu, menurut Herry, Muliaman memahami detail regulasi, manajemen risiko, serta pengawasan korporasi hal yang krusial untuk mengelola BUMN.

“Ini seiring dengan pengalamannya yang menjabat sebagai Ketua OJK pertama, dari sebelumnya Deputi Gubernur BI bidang Pengawasan,” jelasnya.

In addition, said Herry, Muliaman also has a long reputation in the field of governance. He was once the first OJK Chair, and previously the Deputy Governor of BI for Supervision.

With this experience, according to Herry, Muliaman understands that regulatory details, risk management, and corporate supervision are crucial to manage SOEs.

"This is in line with his experience as the first OJK Chair, from the previous Deputy Governor of BI in the field of Supervision," he explained.