Denies Dismissal Of Pertamina's Business Supporting Director With Political Nuances, Special Staff Of The Minister Of SOEs: Already Commemorated

Special Staff to the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Arya Sinulingga. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Special Staff to the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Arya Sinulingga, denied that Dedi Sunardi's removal from the position of Director of Business Supporting PT Pertamina (Persero), had a political nuance.

Arya explained that SOE Minister Erick Thohir had given a strong warning to Pertamina, especially regarding the Oil Fuel Terminal (TBBM) or Pertamina Pelumpang Depot which is adjacent to densely populated settlements.

In fact, continued Arya, the commemoration was conveyed by Erick Thohir two years ago.

Referring to Arya's statement, the warning was delivered around 2021.

"Why is it political? I've already told you what the basis is? I've been reminded. Mr. Erick said two years ago. It means that Pertamina is reminded, now it must be seen as a whole," he said when met in Sarinah, Jakarta, Thursday, March 9.

When asked why only the central directors were removed, Arya herself did not provide a specific explanation.

In fact, Depo Plumpang is managed by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, as a Subholding Commercial & Trading which is directly supported by Pertamina.

"Mr. Erick has reminded two years ago," he said.

Previously, it was reported that the Executive Director of the Center of Energy and Resources Indonesia (CERI) Yusri Usman highlighted the policy of SOE Minister Erick Tohir who removed the Director of Business Supporting PT Pertamina ( Persero) holding Dedi Sunardi.

Yusri considered this policy strange and funny when it was linked to the burning of the Oil Fuel Terminal (TBBM) or Pertamina Plumpang Depot.

This is because Dedi is not an official who is directly related to the accident.

"When reviewed after the Pertamina Holding organization was formed with Subholding by the Ministry of SOEs, the full control of fuel distribution operations was directly located in Subholding, in this case PT Pertamina Patra Niaga," said Yusri Usman, in Jakarta, Thursday, March 9.

According to Yusri, the step was to remove the Director of Business Developers of Pertamina Holding, whose control range was far above with the Plumpang TBBM depot fire being a big question mark.

"It can be read by the public, the policy of the Minister of SOEs seems to have a political nuance," he explained.