Purnomo Yusgiantoro: I'm professional and ready to assume my duties
Thursday, August 24 2000 - 03:00 AM WIB
Newly-installed Minister of Energy and Mineral Natural Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he was a professional and ready to assume the duties given by President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Purnomo said his background education and professional experience would make him capable to hold the post as the energy and mineral natural resources minister, noting that he knew all about the sectors he was now working in.
He focuses mainly on subjects of energy, mineral, natural resources and economy on his higher education, including in his post graduate studies. Also, his professional works during the past 20 years have also been focused on energy and natural resources.
Born on July 16, 1951 in Semarang, Central Java, Purnomo completed his high school in Loyola High School in Semarang. Purnomo then continued his study to the oil technical school at the prestigious Institute of Technology Bandung, and completed his undergraduate degree in 1974.
Then he went to the United States to pursue his master degrees. He went to the University of Colorado and got his master of science on mining in 1986, and master of arts in economics and his doctorate degree from the same university on the economics of natural resources - both in 1988. Besides, he was the best graduate of Lemhanas 1992.
Purnomo's long professional career has brought him to a number of prestigious institutions. Once, he became an expert staff at the Basic Earth Science System (BESSI) in Colorado, then he was an advisor for the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the International Economic Cooperation for Energy Economics (IAEE).
He used to be a consultant for the World Bank on energy affairs (1990-1992), for the Asian Development Bank (1990), and an advisor for the 6th development Cabinet's mines and energy minister. He has also been teaching at the post-graduate programs at the Atma Jaya University. His last post before being appointed minister was Lemhanas' deputy chairman. He was then sworn in as Lemhanas deputy chairman, replacing Juwono Sudarsono who appointed minister of education by the Habibie administration.
Purnomo said he agreed with President Abdurrahman Wahid to change the name of the ministry, from the Ministry of Mines and Energy to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Natural Resources. He noted that the focus of his ministry would be on energy, while mining would be handed over to local administrations following the implementation of the autonomy law.
When asked on his short-term programs, Purnomo said that he would first of all would refer to the four basic pillars of economy, outlined by President Abdurrahman before the House of Representative on August 16. 2000.
On specific matters, Purnomo said that he would exploit all the potentials in the oil and gas sector to contribute more income for the state budget. And he would change the fuel subsidy system currently employed by the government to direct system rather than to the current cross subsidy system.
He also vowed to make sectors under his control to become a balance of trade by increasing exports of gas and oil commodities and attracting as many investments as possible in sectors under his control.
He also vowed to restructure various laws under his supervision, including oil and gas law, electricity law and mining law, and also various supporting regulations.
He also wanted to improve the performance of state enterprises, private firms and also multi-national entities under his supervision.
Lastly, he wanted to improve community development programs in the energy and mineral sectors.
"I'm optimistic," he said. (--hans bodega--)