President issues decree to maintain stability after Rudi?s arrest
Wednesday, August 14 2013 - 11:19 AM WIB
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has issued a decree to ensure stability in the country?s oil and gas upstream sector following the arrest of Rudi Rubiandini, Chairman of SKK Migas, on charges of accepting bribes.
Rudi along with several others was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in the early morning hours of today. He has been even named suspect.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik told reporters on Wednesday the President issued Presidential Decree No. 93/2013 which stipulates the suspension of Rudi as SKK Migas?s chairman and names the agency?s vice chairman Johanes Widjonarko to take over the role and functions of SKK?s chairman.
?Johanes Widjonarko has been appointed to lead SKK Migas. He thus has all rights to sign everything on behalf of SKK Migas,? Jero said.
The arrest of Rudi has sent shockwave through the national oil and gas industry given the pivotal role of SKK Migas as the supervisor of the country?s oil and gas upstream business which provides huge revenue to the government.
Jero said the government realized the potential negative impact that might be caused by the arrest of Rudi. That was why the President quickly moved to issue the decree in order to prevent the negative impacts.
?The government has to move swiftly given the fact that oil and gas is a strategic industry from which the government receives around Rp 1 trillion in revenue per day. There should not be any vacuum (of leadership) in the industry. That?s why the government issued the presidential decree,? Jero said.
?The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources supports all efforts to eradicate corruption in the country. As such, the public and, particularly, the oil and gas industry will always believe that we are committed to supporting the industry for the country?s sake,? Jero said.
Jero did not clearly specify if Rudi still has chances to reassume his position in the future.
?The suspension (of Rudi) is temporary in nature. Under the existing regulation, the functions of one head of government office will be taken over by his or her deputy if he or she can not perform his or her duty permanently. We shall decide on the definitive chairman (of SKK Migas) once the case has been settled,? Jero said.
Based on the previous corruption cases, the President usually suspends a governmental official once he or she has been declared suspect and will removes him or her from office once the court trial on the corruption case starts.
Editing by Johannes Simbolon