Prabowo Hits SOE Board: Still Ask for Tantiem, Just Stop

President Prabowo Subianto at the inauguration of the Balikpapan RDMP (Photo: Youtube screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat)

BALIKPAPAN - President Prabowo Subianto launched a harsh criticism of SOEs. He assessed that many SOE leaders failed to carry out their responsibility to manage state wealth, even demanding royalties when the company was losing money.

"Many have lost. They have lost, ask for more money. They don't know how to be ashamed. I think it's a shame," said Prabowo when giving a speech at the inauguration of the Pertamina Balikpapan Integrated Oil Refinery, January 12.

Prabowo emphasized that he had given the task to the Head of the Secretariat and a number of related ministers to clean up all SOEs. According to him, a position in SOEs is not a space to seek personal gain, but a state trust.

He asked the directors who were unable to serve with the available income to resign immediately. Prabowo emphasized that many other parties were ready to replace them.

"If you can't serve, just quit. There are many who are ready to replace you," he said.

The President also revealed manipulation practices at the management level. He said there were officials in critical positions who lied to their superiors, deceived their superiors, and even deceived the president for personal gain.

"Now we have to stop like that," he said.

According to Prabowo, the management of state wealth determines the future of the nation. He reminded, in the midst of tight global competition, a rich but not strong country can lose its own wealth.

"We need that wealth to eliminate poverty, eliminate hunger, and strengthen the nation," said Prabowo.