Not Appointed By ESDM, Cooperatives And MSMEs Managing Mining Appointed By Regional Heads

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia. (Maria Trisnawati / VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that his party had completed an inventory of 45,000 oil wells that could be managed by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Cooperatives and Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD).

Bahlil emphasized that cooperatives, MSMEs and BUMDs who have the right to manage oil wells are not appointed by the central government but by the local regional head.

"So from here, because of the MSMEs, the co-operation is also, then the MSMEs are recommended by the regional head. Not appointed as well as from the center," he said at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Thursday, October 9.

This is intended so that MSMEs that manage oil wells are native local businesses and are not controlled by outside the region.

"To be sure, Jakarta MSMEs are not allowed, Jakarta cannot co-operation. We want to make local people the masters in their own country, so let the local people take care of it themselves," said Bahlil.

Bahlil admitted that currently he has pocketed many the names of cooperatives, MSMEs and BUMDs recommended by regional heads. Later, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will verify the requirements recommended by the government.

"In the rules of the game, there are, later we will verify those who meet the requirements," he added.

Meanwhile, regarding the ability to manage wells, Bahlil admits that he fully believes in local governments that know the situation in their respective regions. For this reason, he does not doubt the cooperatives, MSMEs and BUMD submitted by regional heads.

"I believe the Governor and the Regent may not recommend something that is not capable. Those who know the region are regional heads. Don't let me be the Minister who thinks he knows about the region," said Bahlil.