REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir said the position of his deputy minister will not come from private sector. He stressed that the one will accompany him in the ministry must have State-Owned Enterprises background, in order to avoid the notion of ‘privatization’.
Moreover, Erick came from private sector background. He was known as the businessman, founder and owner of Mahaka Group company, then turned to be Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) head, and also President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) - Ma’ruf Amin campaign team chairman.
“I come from private sector, so if the deputy minister also from private sector, there will be an issue of privatization. However, that’s not true,” said Erick after attending the inaugural plenary cabinet session at State Palace on Thursday (Oct 24).
Erick also denied the rumour that said he proposed his best friend, who also former vice presidential candidate, Sandiaga Uno to fill the deputy minister position. He asserted SOEs deputy minister position is not from his close people, in order to avoid conflict of interest.
Furthermore, Erick said the one who will fulfill deputy minister position was intended to manage 142 SOEs and improve their financial performance. He also explained all the state companies have plan to go global.
In addition, Erick said he will continue the program from the previous minister, Rini Soemarno by synergizing between all SOEs. He also praised Rini because her program was right to implement.
“What Mrs. Rini did previously about the synergy of SOEs is already very good,” Erick said.