Ibnu Sutowo Receives Honoris Causa Doctorate From Airlangga University In Today's History, November 11, 1972

Pertamina's President Director, Ibnu Sutowo, who served the longest in history, from 1968 to 1976. (Perpusnas)

JAKARTA History today, 51 years ago, November 11, 1972, Airlangga University (Unair) gave the title of Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) for the economy to the President Director of Pertamina, Ibnu Sutowo. The awarding of the title was because Sutowo was considered a figure who succeeded in developing the Indonesian oil industry.

Previously, Sutowo was known as one of the founders of the national oil company. He was able to build Pertamina from zero to profit. Even though Pertamina became the target of criticism for allegedly perpetuating the practice of corruption.

Ibnu Sutowo has never been discouraged by the mandate to lead PT. Explore the Tambang Sumatra Utama (former Dutch company, Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij) in 1957. The company was then known as the National Oil Company (Permina).

His enthusiasm as a soldier is ready to be placed anywhere. Even the order was directly his superior to KASAD, AH Nasution. Maybe Sutowo doesn't have much experience in the world of oil. However, he didn't run out of his mind. He tried to recruit trained personnel.

Anyone who understands externally in the oil industry will immediately be recruited. The results are brilliant. The old and abandoned oil company was able to turn it into a mine for Indonesian money. Sutowo's leadership created the Old Order, then the New Order (Orba) was attracted.

The New Order also tried to accommodate all kinds of Sutowo's ideas. Mainly, the idea of marrying Permina and Pertamina District Court was perpetuated. The two companies transformed into one 1968. State Company (PN) Mining Oil and Gas State (Pertamina), his name.

The greatness of Ibnu in leading Pertamina was also tested. His business spirit was able to make Pertamina grow rapidly. He wants Pertamina not only to rely on oil ponds. Pertamina tries to bring it to control other business lines. From insurance to hospitality.

"That way in those years Pertamina will launch as well as projects that we have been planning for a long time. Pertamina's success as a national company may feel even more prominent because at that time many other state companies collapsed. So people are busy talking about it. "

"However, in addition to many who are amazed to see the rapid progress that Pertamina has achieved, there are also those who look at it with suspicion and suspicion. And behind people's admiration for Pertamina they mention my name. Is it okay to do it. There are also those who circumvent. But I don't care about the sarcastic voices, "said Ibnu Sutowo as written by Ramadhan KH in Ibnu Sutowo's book: It's Time for Me to Tell the Story (2008).

Sutowo did manage to bring Pertamina forward. His capacity to build Pertamina is increasingly inviting admiration. Unair didn't want to be left behind. The famous university in Surabaya is attracted by Sutowo's greatness in building a big Indonesian oil business.

As a form of appreciation, Unair gave Ibnu Sutowo a Honorary Honorary Doctorate in the economic field on November 11, 1972. However, Sutowo and Pertamina's positive trends decreased afterward. The issue of corruption accompanied Sutowo's leadership to step down.

In carrying out their work duties as Director of Permina General Ibnu Sutowo has shown astonishing achievements, these achievements are not only recognized among ABRI and the government but are also recognized by experts from abroad and within the country. A Venezuelan geologist has written in his bookOur Gift, Our Oil, among others, stating that it is without capital and working with a vacuum that is driven by the will to achieve success.

Moving with the spirit of overflowing nationalism, Permina can be used as a good role model for managing a useful state company. Meanwhile, in the country, General Ibnu Sutowo on November 11, 1972 by Airlangga University, has been given the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in economic science," wrote the AKABRI Magazine report entitled Introducing Private Lt. Gen. TNI dr. Ibnu Sutowo (1972).