SOEs Work On Many Projects, Erick Thohir: According To Assignment

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir revealed the reason for state-owned companies working on projects in Indonesia. Erick said the project was a form of assignment from the government.

As is known, SOEs work a lot on various projects ranging from the health sector, infrastructure, to sports.

"Sometimes this connotation is how come SOEs are everywhere, yes, it's everywhere. But we do this according to the main duties and assignments," he told reporters at the Ministry of SOEs, written Friday, July 14.

For example, said Erick, when the COVID-19 pandemic entered Indonesia in March 2020, a number of vaccines were needed to prevent the virus from developing. SOEs also play a role in bringing in the COVID-19 vaccine.

Not only in the health sector, SOEs are also often involved in sporting events. For example, strengthening infrastructure in Mandalika, such as MotoGP and many other events.

"Then sometimes with sports issues, how come this is the Menpora, isn't it. Incidentally there is an assignment. We have 17 assignments to develop sports and if we look at the plots of the sport, it increases because there are funds," he explained.

As is known, SOEs are also involved in building the Pertamina Mandalikan International Circuit as part of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

"When I was assigned by the President (Joko Widodo) I immediately called Mr. Gub (Governor of NTB) at that time, that this MotoGP must be built immediately. So Pakk Gub remembers that there was no circuit at that time, which in the end, because of the assignment, I instructed PP (PT Pembangunan Perumahan/PP) at that time to build a circuit," he explained.

In fact, said Erick, the asphalt affairs of the Mandalika circuit must also be standardized. As a result, the asphalt had to be dismantled three times.

"Because earlier, I wanted to have a high standard. So it's not an easy thing. But that's it sometimes needs to be reminded the context of this existence, everything must have a calculation," he concluded.