The Appointment Of Dony Oskaria As Acting Minister Of SOEs Is Considered Odd From The Side Of Government Governance

JAKARTA The appointment of Dony Oskaria as the Acting Minister of SOEs has drawn a number of critical notes.

This step is considered odd in terms of governance of government organizations.

BUMN observer and NEXT Indonesia Center Director, Herry Gunawan, assessed that the first irregularities lie in the appointment mechanism.

Dony's appointment letter was signed by the Minister of State Secretary, even though the governance should be signed directly by President Prabowo Subianto.

"Or if necessary, appoint the Coordinating Minister for the Economy as an interim of the Minister of SOEs. This is even more suitable in terms of organizational governance," he told VOI, Friday, September 19.

"Even if there must be a Plt to fill the leadership vacuum at the Ministry of SOEs," continued Herry, Kartika Wirjoatmodjo is much more suitable.

"Even if there must be a Plt, what is more appropriate is actually the current Deputy Minister of SOEs, such as Kartika Wirjoatmodjo. He is more senior in the ministry," said Herry.

In addition, Herry highlighted the potential for a conflict of interest because Dony is currently still the President Director of Danantara Asset Management (DAM), as well as COO Danantara Indonesia.

"Dony is directly involved in the operation of BUMN, leading the holding. From the appropriate side, it is not appropriate to carry out the minister's duties, even though it is only the executor of the task," he said.

As previously reported, Deputy Minister of SOEs Dony Oskaria was officially appointed as Acting Minister of SOEs to replace Erick Thohir who received a new mandate as Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora).

Dony's appointment was stated in a letter numbered B-20/M/S/AN.00.03/09/2025 which was signed by the Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi dated September 17, 2025.

In the letter, President Prabowo asked Dony to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Minister of SOEs until there was a new directive or the appointment of a definitive minister.

Adapun penunjukan tersebut dilakukan setelah terbitnya Keputusan Presiden Nomor 96/P Tahun 2025 tentang pemberhentian dan pengangkatan Menteri serta Wakil Menteri Negara dalam Kabinet Merah Putih periode 2024–2029.

“Serta untuk menjamin kelancaran pelaksanaan tugas dan fungsi Kementerian Badan Usaha Milik Negara, bersama ini kami sampaikan bahwa Bapak Presiden menunjuk Saudara (Dony) untuk melaksanakan tugas dan tanggung jawab Menteri Badan Usaha Milik Negara sampai dengan terdapat arahan lain dari Bapak Presiden atau diangkatnya Menteri Badan Usaha Milik Negara definitif,” bunyi surat tersebut dikutip Jumat, 19 September.

Dengan mandat baru ini, Dony merangkap empat jabatan sekaligus yakni Plt Menteri BUMN, Wakil Menteri BUMN, serta Chief Operating Officer (COO) Danantara Indonesia dan Direktur Utama Danantara Asset Management (DAM).

The appointment was made after the issuance of Presidential Decree Number 96/P of 2025 concerning the dismissal and appointment of the Minister and Deputy Minister of State in the Red and White Cabinet for the period 2024'2029.

"As well as to ensure the smooth implementation of the duties and functions of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, we hereby convey that the President appoints you (Dony) to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises until there is another directive from the President or the appointment of the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises," the letter reads, quoted Friday, September 19.

With this new mandate, Dony has four positions at once, namely the Acting Minister of SOEs, the Deputy Minister of SOEs, and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Danantara Indonesia and the President Director of Danantara Asset Management (DAM).