Inefficiency in Pertamina?

Inefficiency in Pertamina?

From Media Indonesia

Some are under the impression that inefficiency exists in state-owned oil company Pertamina. This was noted during a hearing of the minister of mines and energy with Commission V of the House of Representatives recently. Unfortunately the statement was rather vague and gave no mention of the particular section/department where inefficiency supposedly exists.

Such vagueness only makes it difficult for laymen as well as observers of oil affairs to correctly interpret the situation, and the commission may have a biased view.

In fact, Pertamina has made continuous efforts to improve efficiency and made every employee aware of the need to achieve that goal. For example, the organization has been streamlined. The company has worked in cooperation with Elnusa Patra Teknik in the maintenance area. A cost-reduction program has been implemented. While other state-owned companies have raised their employees' basic salaries over the years, Pertamina has not done so for 10 years. All Pertamina's efforts are clear proof that the company is concerned about efficiency and has worked for it consistently. Besides, all results of annual auditing by the company's internal audit board, like the inspectorate general, and that done by external bodies such as Development and Financial Control Board (BPKP), have been declared "fair and satisfactory without exception".

May these comments of mine be heard by the members of House Commission V and convince them that the company's employees have worked honestly with dedication and responsibility in compliance with Pertamina's mission.

M.J. TAMPUBOLON

Indramayu, West Java