Minister opposes open debate for Pertamina boss candidates

Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono withheld supports for an open debate for the candidates for the top job of state oil and gas company Pertamina, Bisnis Indonesia daily reported.

Bambang said the debate was good in the election process of a leader, but under the existing law, Pertamina's leader was not elected but appointed by the President based on the recommendation of Pertamina's board of commissioners.

"With regards Pertamina, the law stipulates that the President decides on Pertamina's leadership after receiving a recommendation from the board of commissioners. Since he (Pertamina's leader) is not elected, but appointed based on the criteria set by the President, what we have done in the board of commissioners is enough," Bambang, who is also president commissioner of Pertamina, said.

President Abdurrahman Wahid has asked Pertamina's board of commissioners to select candidates for the top job of Pertamina to replace current Pertamina's president Martiono Hadianto. The board of commissioners have selected several names.

However, calls for an open debate for the candidates for Pertamina's job have been mounting to ensure transparency in the selection of the new leader of the most strategic state company. (*)