Erick Thohir Has No Problem With Food SOEs Under The Ministry Of Agriculture Command

SOE Minister Erick Thohir. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir admitted that there was no problem if state-owned companies in the food and agriculture sector changed their coordination no longer under the Ministry of SOEs.

The news emerged that the Public Logistics Agency (Perum Bulog) to PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) was taken over by coordination under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Erick said that his party is open if there are parties who can maximize the function of state-owned companies.

According to him, this is part of strengthening the role of state-owned companies.

Furthermore, Erick also mentioned the process of transforming SOEs which cut the number from 114 to 47 companies. Currently, the SOE is said to have good performance and conditions.

"So if these SOEs are considered good, many parties see this can be maximized better, yes we are open," Erick told reporters at the BUMN Ministry Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 19.

Currently, Erick said, there are many restructurings carried out on SOEs. Including the issue of public service obligation (PSO) or subsidies.

"So if I never think negatively, so far the service to the public has been increased, investment can also strengthen synergies rather than the national economy, yes we are very open," he said.

For your information, Food SOEs such as PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) and Perum Bulog are planned to be transferred to be under the command of the Ministry of Agriculture. For example, related to the implementation of fertilizer subsidies.

Recently, the government through Memko Pangan Zulkifli Hasan will cut the flow of subsidized fertilizer distribution, where the distribution is quite regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and there is no need for a decree (SK) for regional heads.

Meanwhile, regarding Bulog, it will be transformed into a body directly under the President.

Regarding the authority of the Ministry of SOEs in the future, Erick said it would refer to the provisions that regulate later. He also emphasized that the Ministry of SOEs is actually only helping the management of state-owned companies.

"In building this nation, don't talk about excesses or deficiencies. The important thing is that the tasks that are in front of your eyes are completed properly and optimally," he said.