Bambang Patijaya Urges PDIP Not to Make Baseless Accusations Over PLN Coal Issue

Jakarta - Chairman of the House of Representatives Commission XII from the Golkar Party faction, Bambang Patijaya, responded to a statement by PDIP faction member Deddy Sitorus in a national media outlet, which called for Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to be investigated over coal procurement issues for PLN. Bambang emphasised that the coal procurement mechanism for PLN is a business-to-business transaction. ‘So, what we need to fix is the procurement governance at PLN. From the procurement process, quality and volume supervision, to the receipt of coal, it must be ensured that everything runs professionally, transparently, and leaves no room for fraudulent practices,’ Bambang said, as quoted in a press release on Monday. ‘Brother Deddy Sitorus does not need to comment on something he does not fully understand. There is no need to seek popularity by pointing fingers everywhere and looking for a scapegoat for an issue he knows nothing about,’ he asserted. Bambang believes that the more important task now is to ensure that the problems in coal procurement governance are resolved to the root. Any alleged violations must be handled based on facts and evidence, while weaknesses in the procurement system must be immediately corrected to prevent similar issues from recurring. ‘Let us not exhaust our energy just blaming each other. What is needed now is an improvement in PLN’s governance. If there are suspected violations, let the law enforcement authorities do their job. We focus on ensuring the coal procurement system is better, more transparent, and more accountable in the future,’ said the legislator representing the Bangka Belitung electoral district. Bambang added that Commission XII of the House of Representatives will continue to exercise its oversight function to encourage the strengthening of governance in the electricity sector, particularly in the procurement of primary energy, so that supply for power generation is guaranteed and the public interest remains protected.