Appointment of British firm as PGN's consultant questioned

The Association of Indonesian Consultans (Inkindo) has questioned the appointment of British consulting company Penspen Ltd as the consultant for the development of South Sumatra-West Java gas pipeline, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Wednesday.

Kristiya Kartika, the chairman of the association, said in Jakarta that the decision made by the state-owned gas distribution company PGN to appoint Penspen Ltd as the consultant for the South Sumatra-West Java gas pipeline project was unfair given the fact that the British company had not yet obtained a competency certificate (SBU) to operate in Indonesia.

"Penspen has not been registered in the Indonesian Consultants' Coordinating Board (BKKA) or in the institute for the development of national construction services (LPKJN)," Kristiya said.

Consequently, the appointment of the British company violated the regulation because all companies providing consulting services in Indonesia should first receive SBU certificates from LPLJN," Kristiya added.

PGN has appointed Penspen to as the consultant for the development of the on the on shore section of the inter island gas pipeline project. The British company will cooperate with PT Petrotrechindo Utama in doing the job. (*)