Dony Oskaria: Closing BUMNs Will Not Cover Up Criminal Acts
President Prabowo Subianto has stated that a significant number of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) will be downsized or closed as part of a large-scale effort to ensure the efficient use of public funds. The Head of the State-Owned Enterprise Regulatory Agency (BP BUMN), Dony Oskaria, emphasised that the closure of these enterprises will not eliminate any criminal liabilities if they exist.
“These closures do not mean erasing the mistakes they have committed. It cannot be said later that ‘they were closed, but what about their theft?’ There is no such thing. It will not cover up criminal issues,” Dony said at the KPK ACLC building, Jakarta, on Monday (29/06/2026).
Dony explained that the SOEs targeted for closure are those experiencing consistent losses. This action is being taken to prevent even greater financial damage to the state.
“For example, if a certain company has been losing money every year, and we anticipate they will lose money next year and the year after, it is better to close them to avoid deeper losses,” he noted.
Dony met with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today to discuss several matters, including the closure of these SOEs. He stated that the KPK has expressed its support for the move.
“This was discussed so that we can make the right decisions. The KPK also conveyed that as long as our intention is good—to avoid deeper and more prolonged losses—it is permissible,” he said.
“However, it does not eliminate all malicious actions if there is mens rea (criminal intent),” he added.
Regarding the closure of SOEs, President Prabowo made the remarks before professors during the closing of the 202<0xC2>6 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry (KSTI) National Seminar at JCC, Senayan, Jakarta, on Sunday (28/06). Prabowo was responding to a proposal regarding the allocation of university research funds from a portion of SOE profits.
“Every SOE allocates part of their profit for research and innovation. This is a good proposal. The problem is, do these SOEs have profits? Are they starting to show them? Thank you, Danantara, for that. This year, profits have begun to emerge,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo noted that many SOEs are currently not profitable, yet the state continues to pay salaries for their directors and commissioners. He emphasised that his administration is currently streamlining these enterprises.
“The problem is that these SOEs… well, we all know, as Indonesians, we understand. We are currently cleaning them up and bringing them into order,” he stated.