Pertamina nominates three candidates to head BPPKA

State oil and gas company Pertamina and its board of commissioners have nominated three candidates to chair the agency for the development and management of foreign contractors (BPPKA). Two of the candidates come from within the state oil company while the other one is a professional from outside the company.

Pertamina's president Baihaki Hakim said that the selection of the three candidates to chair the agency was still going on. But he declined to names them. "Just wait and see, we hope the agency will have a new boss in September," he said.

The agency is currently headed by Gatot Karseno Wirojudo, who has also been appointed as the director of Pertamina's oil exploration department.

Legislators have called on the government to separate the management of BPPKA from Pertamina to ensure its independence in doing its supervisory job on Pertamina's joint operation contractors. "The separation of the agency's operation should be stipulated in the new oil and gas law which is now under preparation," House member Pramono said.

The government will submit new draft law on oil and gas to the House this year. The new law will among others lift the exclusive rights now held by Pertamina in managing and operating the country's oil and gas resources. (*)