Removing And Installing BUMN Directors, Erick Thohir Afraid Of Threats

Capture the screen of BUMN Minister Erick Thohir during a virtual discussion, Thursday 18 June. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Minister Erick Thohir has recently been aggressively demolishing the board of directors of state-owned companies for efficiency. However, Erick's move became the public spotlight.

Erick emphasized that the selection of directors and commissioners of a number of state-owned companies also followed several applicable processes. So, according to him, transparency is guaranteed.

"This is interesting. We have a process for selecting directors and commissioners. One, there is an assessment process that must be followed. Examples of directors and commissioners must be moral. But here we also include directors and commissioners who have to understand digital leadership, global business safety, customer focus. , and building strategic partnerships, "he said, in a virtual discussion entitled 'BUMN Struggling in the Middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic', Thursday, June 18.

In addition, Erick said, candidates for directors and commissioners must uphold the principles of good corporate governance. Not only that, holders of positions in BUMN companies must also have good relationships with related institutions in addition to presenting current market needs.

"So apart from being tested and following the previous procedure. We also added a new procedure, because good corporate governance is important. It is impossible for BUMN Karya to not have a relationship with Pak Basuki at PUPR, it is not possible. Now this is what we are trying to confirm," he said.

Erick said that COVID-19 would inevitably force many people to accelerate in all fields, including the change of officials in several state-owned companies. Therefore, in choosing him, his party ensures that candidates can adapt quickly.

In addition, Erick also admitted that he was not afraid of being threatened by parties who did not like his steps to make a major overhaul of the board of directors and commissioners of the state-owned companies under his auspices.

"I am not afraid of being threatened. My loyalty is clear. I am loyal to the president, because I am his assistant," said Erick.

Naturally, the Election of Directors is in the Public Spotlight

Special Staff of the Minister of BUMN, Arya Sinulingga, assessed that it is natural that currently the issue of changing commissioners or directors in state-owned companies is a public concern. Because, almost 50 percent of Indonesia's economy is played by BUMN.

"Looking at the capitalization, it is only natural that everyone will shift their views to BUMN," he said in a virtual discussion, Tuesday, June 16.

According to Arya, public attention to SOEs is also inseparable from their contribution to public services so that sometimes it triggers pros and cons. Moreover, BUMN shares are owned by the government, which is the same as the company owned by the people.

"Regarding the many public interests and many advantages that also make the BUMN (in the spotlight). In relation to the public, BUMN owned by the people, the shares are owned by the government, so inevitably the eyes will always see. It's normal if it becomes the spotlight," he said. .