Hit By The Issue Of Being Hit By A Reshuffle Replaced By Bahlil, Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources: God Willing

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif gave information when met at the Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jakarta, Tuesday (30/7/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM0 Arifin Tasrif did not deny the news regarding him who would be replaced by the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia.

"God willing," said Arifin Tasrif when met at the Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 30, was confiscated by Antara.

Arifin made this statement without giving further context.

He made this statement when asked for a response regarding the news that he would be replaced by the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia.

Arifin asked the public to wait for further news without stopping the news circulating.

"If it's true (replaced), why?" said Arifin jokingly when he was urged to provide further explanation.

Based on Antara's observation at the Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, a number of echelon I officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources were seen visiting Arifin's place with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Dadan Kusdiana, who is also the Acting Director General of Oil and Gas (Migas), with an office.

Echelon I officials who were observed arrived at the location, namely Acting Director General of Mineral and Coal Bambang Suswantono; Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) Eniya Listiana Dewi; and Director General of Electricity Jisman Hutajulu.

In addition to echelon I officials, Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Sugeng Suparwoto was also seen visiting the Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

"I'm here to find out about it (the change of minister)," said Sugeng.

Sugeng did not confirm or deny the news of the change of minister. However, he asked the public to respect the prerogative of the President in choosing ministers.

"We all respect it, because it is the prerogative of the President. But that I am here to find out, then (the answer) is yes. Because this is a ministry directly with Commission VII," he said again.

Furthermore, he hopes that the decision will be based on a desire to improve performance, not due to political issues.

Previously, Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana denied that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) would inaugurate a number of ministers in the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) in the near future.

"There is no agenda for the inauguration of a new minister at IKN such as issues circulating," Ari said in a written message to the media received in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Ari's statement was in response to the circulating news that Bahlil Lahadalia, who currently serves as Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM, would be rotated as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.

He reiterated that until now there has been no planned cabinet reshuffle agenda.

"It's not true. Until now there has been no plan / cabinet reshuffle agency," said Ari.