Presidential decree 96/2000 needs to be revised to protect energy sector

Director General of Electricity and Energy Endro Utomo suggested on Tuesday that President Abdurrahman Wahid revised presidential decree (Keppres) No. 96/2000 to protect the energy sector to prevent similar energy glut in the future.

Endro said the decree opens widely the electricity sector for private investment, and this is dangerous for causing another energy glut and higher-private electricity tariffs as it happens now.

He noted that his office had actually prepared a regulation that would prevent 100 percent private ownership in electricity sector. He questioned why such a decree that allows 100 percent ownership in the electricity sector is passed unnoticed.

Besides Keppres 96/2000, Endro also called on the President to revise Government Regulation (PP) No. 20/1994 that allows 100 percent foreign ownership in the mining sector, without divestment requirement. (*)