Appointment of SOE Commissioners Under Scrutiny, Bakom Chief Responds

The mechanism for appointing commissioners to a number of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) is currently under public scrutiny. Several names have been highlighted as potentially unsuitable for the commissioner posts at these state-owned companies.

Head of the State Communication Agency (Bakom) Muhammad Qodari addressed the matter. Qodari stated that the appointment of SOE commissioners from diverse backgrounds is intended to bring new perspectives to the task of overseeing government agendas.

Citing his own appointment as a commissioner at an SOE, Qodari argued that even without direct experience in the company’s core business, he could still play an important role by offering alternative solutions to problems.

“And speaking of experience at Pertamina Hulu Energi, we can also help to look at alternative solutions,” Qodari said on Sunday (5/7/2026).

“Because we come from different backgrounds, from the outside, there is actually a new perspective that can be brought into the company where we serve as commissioners,” he added.

Qodari explained that the selection of a company’s commissioners is a normal practice, both in SOEs and private corporations. He noted that a commissioner’s duty is to carry out supervision and provide ideas and input to the board of directors in managing the company.

According to Qodari, anyone can become a commissioner as long as they possess common sense and good intentions. Furthermore, he believes that individuals appointed as SOE commissioners already have experience in either government or private organisations.

“In my opinion, the basic capital for being a commissioner is just two things. First, common sense, and second, good intentions,” Qodari concluded.