IPA urges govt to quickly appoint new director general of oil and gas

By Godang Sitompul

The Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) expects the government to quickly appoint the official to fill in the post of the Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources so that oil and gas policies can run smoothly, particularly considering the challenges of preparing amendment to the Oil and Gas Law.

?We of course hope that the post can be filled in immediately so that the oil and gas functions can run smoothly, and considering that huge challenges are ahead particularly in the amendment of the Oil and Gas Law,? IPA President Lukman Mahfoedz told Petromindo.com Monday.

Lukman said that whoever will be appointed into the post, the person should be a professional. ?The person should be a professional; willing to listen to the aspirations of the oil and gas industry; take a role in helping to resolve key and crucial problems (a role which had been played by predecessor Evita Legowo); and of course must always balance the interest of the nation. Breakthroughs in the regulatory area is needed so that oil and gas industry in Indonesia could remain competitive, and able to attract investment in exploration,? he explained.

There have been rumors that the strong candidates for the Director General of Oil and Gas include Eddy Hermantoro (currently Secretary of the Director General of Oil and Gas), Muhamad Husein (current post is Upstream Director at PT Pertamina), and Gde Pradnyana (Deputy of Operation at SKSP Migas).

There?s a schedule that in the mid of January, the government will install several new senior officials at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak