Lawmaker Questions Whether SOE Minister Erick Thohir Has Been Rendered Toothless by Danantara
Member of House Commission VI Mufti Anam has questioned the role of Erick Thohir as Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), suggesting he appears to have lost his authority due to the presence of the Investment Management Agency, or BPI Danantara. Mufti noted that Erick Thohir had a positive track record during his five years as SOE Minister.
Mufti highlighted Danantara's apparent extensive intervention in the affairs of SOE companies and their subsidiaries. "We see the strategic role of the SOE Ministry increasingly being controlled by Danantara. The SOE Ministry has become like a toothless tiger," said the PDI Perjuangan politician during a Commission VI working meeting with the SOE Ministry at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.
According to Mufti, many functions previously under the authority of the SOE Ministry have recently been taken over by BPI Danantara. Among these is Danantara's instruction to postpone Annual General Meetings of Shareholders at state-owned companies.
"Honestly, does the Minister still actually have a function? If all roles are being transferred to Danantara, why not simply replace the minister with a Danantara minister?" Mufti said.
In response, Erick Thohir explained that the SOE Ministry and Danantara maintain a good relationship in mutually supporting Indonesia's economy. He stated that the SOE Ministry serves as regulator and supervisor, whilst Danantara functions in operations and investment.
Erick said he has also been given a dedicated office at Danantara's new headquarters to facilitate his monitoring and supervisory functions. "We and Danantara are very supportive of each other. God willing, I will be there at least once a week to receive performance reports or access the supporting system," Erick said during the working meeting.
Furthermore, Erick expressed confidence in Danantara's management, whom he described as the best people to run the investment agency. He also affirmed that the SOE Ministry's role as Danantara's supervisor would not slacken, in order to safeguard investments for Indonesia's future savings.
Mufti highlighted Danantara's apparent extensive intervention in the affairs of SOE companies and their subsidiaries. "We see the strategic role of the SOE Ministry increasingly being controlled by Danantara. The SOE Ministry has become like a toothless tiger," said the PDI Perjuangan politician during a Commission VI working meeting with the SOE Ministry at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.
According to Mufti, many functions previously under the authority of the SOE Ministry have recently been taken over by BPI Danantara. Among these is Danantara's instruction to postpone Annual General Meetings of Shareholders at state-owned companies.
"Honestly, does the Minister still actually have a function? If all roles are being transferred to Danantara, why not simply replace the minister with a Danantara minister?" Mufti said.
In response, Erick Thohir explained that the SOE Ministry and Danantara maintain a good relationship in mutually supporting Indonesia's economy. He stated that the SOE Ministry serves as regulator and supervisor, whilst Danantara functions in operations and investment.
Erick said he has also been given a dedicated office at Danantara's new headquarters to facilitate his monitoring and supervisory functions. "We and Danantara are very supportive of each other. God willing, I will be there at least once a week to receive performance reports or access the supporting system," Erick said during the working meeting.
Furthermore, Erick expressed confidence in Danantara's management, whom he described as the best people to run the investment agency. He also affirmed that the SOE Ministry's role as Danantara's supervisor would not slacken, in order to safeguard investments for Indonesia's future savings.