Fire At Pertamina Repeatedly, Minister Of SOEs: If You Have To Remove The Board Of Directors, I Do It

Plumpang Fire (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir paid serious attention in handling fires that occurred at the Oil Fuel Terminal (TBBM) or Plumpang Depot owned by PT Pertamina (Persero).

Erick admitted that he would not hesitate to remove Pertamina's directors if there was no improvement regarding the implementation of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) or occupational health and safety.

Based on records, the fire in Pertamina's neighborhood is not the first time this has happened. Previously, a similar work had occurred at the Pertamina Balongan Refinery, Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery, Pertamina Cilacap Refinery. Most recently, at the Pertamina Fuel Depot in Plumbang, North Jakarta.

"If I always say, I have removed Pertamina's directors, if I have to remove them again, yes, I will remove them again. But the settlement is not just blaming each other," he said at Pertamina Central Hospital, Jakarta, Saturday, March 4.

According to Erick, Pertamina must make thorough improvements related to the risk business system. He also asked management to immediately form a company business risk team.

"But I asked and this morning I called, for all (BUMN) such as Mind ID, Pertamina, PLN, to form a risk team, yes. Not only in finance but in overall operations, because there are vital national assets," he said.

On this occasion, Erick again emphasized that the removal of the board of directors was not the only step that could be taken. But, continued Erick, the main thing is to provide a better overall work system.

"It's useless for us to remove people but not provide a comprehensive solution, and I've removed it, it's just a matter of context, there is an integrated system," he said.