Get Mandate To Guard AGO's Confiscated Assets, Erick Thohir: We Make Sure Management Runs Well

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

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said his party had the mandate to maintain the confiscated assets of the Attorney General's Office related to the alleged corruption case of PT Duta Palma Group.

The assets that are entrusted to the Ministry of SOEs are 200,000 hectares (ha) of land owned by PT Duta Palma Group.

Erick said the confiscated asset deposit was also a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto's direction, who wanted corruption cases to be enforced.

"The Attorney General wants to collaborate with us so that this confiscated asset does not decrease," Erick said in a press conference quoted from the Indonesian Prosecutor's YouTube, Selesa, February 18.

Erick also ensured that the Ministry of SOEs would not improvise the assets that had been entrusted by the Attorney General's Office. He stressed that he would maintain productivity as it should be.

"Don't let this happen because there is a problem, but in the end there will be the release of employees. People who are part of the plasma do not get their rights. Then also, don't let it because this is not a man, eventually a lot of goods enter the market illegally," he said.

Furthermore, Erick also ensured that the assignment from the Attorney General's Office could run well and provide for the state and society.

"So, we have such an assignment, we just look after and make sure it goes well that goes well, not on the other side," he said.

Previously reported, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin said this asset deposit was carried out to ensure confiscated assets were maintained and there was no decline in production.

"We from the investigative team will seek that this asset is temporarily for its safekeeping to the Minister of SOEs. So that these assets are maintained, and in particular do not let production decrease," he said in a press conference quoted from the Indonesian Prosecutor's YouTube, Selesa, February 18.

Burhanuddin also revealed the reason for choosing to entrust this confiscated asset to the Ministry of SOEs.

The reason is because the alleged corruption case of PT Duta Palma is not final.

"Why do we choose SOEs? Because this case is not final yet, so there is no final decision and currently the management is still by the Palma Ambassador. For continuity, don't let anything happen, maybe a reduction in products or anything to this evidence, we will leave it," he said.

Burhanuddin also hopes that this asset deposit can provide benefits to the state and society.

"It is hoped that in the future, it will still be able to generate profits for the government and also people who depend on PT Duta Palma Group," he said.