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Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. (Teddy VOI)

TANIMBAR - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia asked Inpex, SKK Migas, and the contractor of the Abadi Masela LNG Project to prioritize local workers and entrepreneurs. However, he reminded local governments not to include people through political channels or collusion practices.

Bahlil conveyed this message when giving a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abadi Masela National LNG Strategic Project in the Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku, Thursday, July 16.

According to Bahlil, jobs that can be done by local entrepreneurs must first be given to local business actors. He specifically asked the SKK Migas to monitor the policy.

"Jobs that can be done by entrepreneurs in this region, prioritize local entrepreneurs," said Bahlil.

He also asked Inpex, Petronas, and Pertamina to recruit professional personnel from the Tanimbar Islands and West Maluku Regency before looking for workers from other areas.

A number of Tanimbar youths had previously been sent to study at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' Oil and Gas Academy in Cepu. Graduates of the program, said Bahlil, will be absorbed to work in the Masela Block.

"As long as you are here, use it here first. Don't let the children of the region think that investment is coming in but they are not prioritized," he said.

Although he asked local residents to be given a large space, Bahlil emphasized that the project was not an APBD project. Labor and contractors must still meet professional requirements.

He asked the governor and regent not to entrust people just because they had been part of a political winning team.

"Don't play KKN. Don't because the team is successful, you keep pushing. It's not allowed. It has to be professional," he said.

Bahlil assessed that natural resources should not be taken while the community around the project is only a spectator. However, the priority of the region should not be changed into job sharing based on proximity.

The Abadi Masela LNG project is estimated to absorb around 12,000 direct workers during the construction period. When the facility starts operating, the need for workers is projected to reach 800 to 1,000 people.