Govt promises tighter supervision of SKK Migas

The supervisory board of SKK Migas will tighten supervision of the upstream sector authority following the arrest of its now-suspended chairman, Rudi Rubiandini, by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on charges of accepting bribes.

?We should carry out a stronger protection, be more cautious and careful. There should not be bad things,? Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik told reporters during the ceremony to install new officials of the ministry on Thursday.

Based on the Presidential Regulation No. 9/2013 on the formation of SKK Migas to replaced BPMIGAS, SKK Migas has a board of supervisors chaired by the minister of energy and mineral resources. Other board members are the vice minister of energy and mineral resources, the vice minister of finance and the head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

Jero said the supervisory board has performed its task. However, SKK Migas did not consult with the board on everything. The agency, he said, has consulted with the board on matters such as policy, deputy replacement, budget proposal and lifting target, but it has not consulted detailed matters such as contract,

?(We were only informed on) the number of tenders. (SKK Migas) carry out (the tenders) themselves,? he said.

Jero dismissed speculations that Rudi had received the bribes in order to help finance a certain political party. Some analysis on the web speculate that Rudi needed the money to help finance the future congress of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono?s Democratic Party, in which Jero is a leader.

?It has nothing to do with any political party. Everything is being politicized at present,? he said.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon