Why Did Jokowi Appoint Pahala Mansury As Erick Thohir's Deputy?

Deputy Minister of BUMN I, Pahala Mansury. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Pahala Nugraha Mansury officially serves as Deputy Minister (Wamen) of BUMN I replacing Budi Gunadi Sadikin who was appointed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as Minister of Health. Pahala previously served as President Director of PT Bank Tabungan Negara Tbk (BTN).

The appointment was based on Presidential Decree Number 76 / M 2020 concerning Dismissal and Appointment of Deputy Ministers read out by the Secretary of the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) Setya Utama at the Inauguration of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Indonesian Cabinet Forward The Remaining Term of Office for the 2019-2024 Period at the State Palace, Wednesday, 23 December.

Pahala admitted that he was contacted directly by the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir regarding his appointment to replace Budi Gunadi Sadikin as Deputy Minister of BUMN.

Furthermore, Pahala admits that he is ready to help Erick Thohir to realize the ministry's vision and boost the business of state-owned companies.

"Of course, because we, as Deputy Minister of BUMN, have the duty to assist the SOE Minister, who contacted us as well as Minister Erick Thohir at that time," he said, in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 23.

Pahala also thanked Jokowi for trusting him to fill the Wamen BUMN bench.

"First, of course we want to thank the President who entrusted me to replace Pak Budi Gunadi Sadikin as Deputy Minister of BUMN," he said.

Furthermore, Pahala said, Erick also advised himself regarding the vision and program of the Ministry of BUMN which must be followed up in the future. Particularly is the transformation of state-owned companies which is the main step of the Minister of BUMN.

On that occasion, Pahala also said that his relationship with Erick had been around for a long time.

"He also conveyed the vision and a number of things that we need to follow up on. His direction was how we at BUMN can continue to carry out transformation, create value, and beyond that it can give impact and benefit to the wider community," he explained.

Before being appointed as Deputy Minister of BUMN I, Pahala's last position was as President Director of Bank BTN. He was appointed through the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGMS) on November 27, 2019 and declared effective by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) on February 10, 2020.

The BUMN Ministry revealed that the handover of the position (Sertijab) of Deputy Minister of BUMN I between Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Pahala Nugraha Mansury has not yet been confirmed to be held today. The Special Staff of the Minister of BUMN, Arya Sinulingga said that his party could not confirm the implementation of the certijab.

"It seems that there is no agenda for an official procedure today," said Arya, when confirmed, Wednesday, December 23.