Erick Thohir Collects Debt From Government For 7 BUMN Companies

JAKARTA - The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) emphasized that the disbursement of government debt to BUMN companies through the National Economic Recovery (PEN) program is only given to companies that are responsible for public services.

BUMN Minister Erick Thohir emphasized that the total support funds provided to SOEs reached IDR 143.63 trillion. However, 75 percent of the total or the equivalent of Rp.108.43 trillion is government debt disbursement funds.

"Here we can describe that of the total funds of Rp. 143 trillion, 75 percent is the disbursement of government debt, which we know that since 2017. It has been a long time," he said, during a working meeting with Commission VI, Tuesday, June 9.

The funds will be given to PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) amounting to Rp.48.46 trillion, BUMN works amounting to Rp12.16 trillion, PT Kereta Api (Persero) amounting to Rp.300 billion, PT Kimia Farma (Persero) Tbk amounting to Rp1 trillion, Perum Bulog IDR560 billion, PT Pertamina (Persero) IDR40 trillion, and PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) IDR6 trillion.

According to Erick, these debts originate from assignments given by the government to related SOEs. For example, for PLN, Pertamina, and Pupuk Indonesia, debt is a bill for government subsidies that has not been paid and is due.

"If we look especially for PLN, Pertamina, and Fertilizer, this is none other than the subsidies that have previously been due. So far, they have not been paid off," he explained.

Meanwhile, said Erick, BUMN works for debt disbursement were given for land acquisition for a number of toll road projects. These funds will be paid through the State Asset Management Institute (LMAN).

"So it is not the term that the government funds are put into BUMN Karya, just used. This is actually the toll road already finished, already running, and already used but the LMAN has not been disbursed. I think the work industry needs assistance in this disbursement, "he said.

Furthermore, the disbursement of debt for Kimia Farma, said Erick, came from government debt related to the Health Social Security Administration (BPJS). When conditions hit COVID-19, the Company requires disbursement of debt bills from the government to fulfill its duties in producing medicines for COVID-19 positive patients.

"If it is not paid from BPJS, Kimia Farma's cash flow will be very heavy. Moreover, there are new assignments to keep these drugs in production and this has been up to 18 months or so. Including in Bulog and Railways," he said.