Deputy Minister Takes Over Monitoring After Viral Row Over Chandra Asri Alkali Project Contracts in Cilegon
JAKARTA — A viral incident involving business figures, civil society organisations and the Cilegon City Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) demanding a share of PT Chandra Asri Alkali's investment projects without a tender process has prompted government intervention.
In the wake of the controversy, Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM Todotua Pasaribu said his office had taken over monitoring operations to ensure the investment climate remained conducive. He expressed regret over the dispute, particularly as PT Chandra Asri Alkali's investment is classified as a National Strategic Project (PSN) located within a vital object zone.
"This incident is quite alarming for our investment climate. On the Minister's orders, I am carrying out a consolidation of PT Chandra Asri Alkali's investment," he said during a meeting on the matter in Jakarta on Wednesday (14 May 2025).
According to Todotua, to achieve the economic growth target of eight per cent, Indonesia requires investment realisation of approximately Rp13,000 trillion. "This is a major challenge, but on the other hand the potential is quite significant," he said.
He expressed hope that the facilitation meeting could serve as a model for resolution in other provinces nationwide, not just Banten Province.
At the same occasion, Banten Governor Andra Soni also expressed deep regret over the viral incident between PT Chandra Asri and the Cilegon City Chamber of Commerce. Andra assured that such incidents would not recur in Banten Province, stressing that Banten must be investment-friendly.
"We must not allow Banten Province to become unwelcoming to investment. We will socialise the existing rules of engagement," he said.
"God willing, incidents like the recent one will not happen again going forward," Andra Soni concluded.
In the wake of the controversy, Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM Todotua Pasaribu said his office had taken over monitoring operations to ensure the investment climate remained conducive. He expressed regret over the dispute, particularly as PT Chandra Asri Alkali's investment is classified as a National Strategic Project (PSN) located within a vital object zone.
"This incident is quite alarming for our investment climate. On the Minister's orders, I am carrying out a consolidation of PT Chandra Asri Alkali's investment," he said during a meeting on the matter in Jakarta on Wednesday (14 May 2025).
According to Todotua, to achieve the economic growth target of eight per cent, Indonesia requires investment realisation of approximately Rp13,000 trillion. "This is a major challenge, but on the other hand the potential is quite significant," he said.
He expressed hope that the facilitation meeting could serve as a model for resolution in other provinces nationwide, not just Banten Province.
At the same occasion, Banten Governor Andra Soni also expressed deep regret over the viral incident between PT Chandra Asri and the Cilegon City Chamber of Commerce. Andra assured that such incidents would not recur in Banten Province, stressing that Banten must be investment-friendly.
"We must not allow Banten Province to become unwelcoming to investment. We will socialise the existing rules of engagement," he said.
"God willing, incidents like the recent one will not happen again going forward," Andra Soni concluded.