PT Jamsostek elects new executive board secretly

PT Jamsostek elects new executive board secretly

JAKARTA (JP): PT Jamsostek, the state-owned workers insurance
company, recently criticized for allegedly greasing the passing
of a controversial manpower bill, elected a new executive board
behind closed doors Wednesday.

Spokesman Ronny Irawan said yesterday the board's replacement
was based on a recent decree of the state minister for the
promotion of state enterprises.

Ackmal Husen, the former director of finance and investment,
was appointed president, replacing Abdulla Nusi, while Horas
Simatupang of the state-owned Export and Import Bank replaced
Ackmal as director of finance and investment.

Yusuf Raden was appointed director of operations, replacing
Budi Maryoto; Bambang Purwoko became director of services to
replace Sukarna Suriatmadja; and Amin Soemarsono, former
inspector general at the Ministry of Manpower, was tipped to be
director of general affairs to replace Tjarda Muchtar.

Ronny said the company's board of commissioners whose members
represented the government, employers, stakeholders and workers,
have also been replaced.

Markus Permadi was appointed chairman of the commissioner
board to replace Baroto Sardadi, while the four-member board
comprised Syahrial Hamid, Datuk Bagindo, Suratno Hadisuwito and
Salamun.

Asked about rumors that the company was running out of funds
to pay insurance claims, Ronny said: "It's not true. All funds
collected from the workers are in a safe condition. And the
company has never faced problems in paying insurance claims to
the workers."

PT Jamsostek, established in 1976, has collected about Rp 7
trillion in insurance premiums from about 15.8 million workers
who have joined the social security program.

The company was harshly criticized for paying Rp 3.1 billion
last year to facilitate legislators deliberating the
controversial Labor Law, scheduled to be enforced in October.

It is also facing a law suit at Jakarta High Court over the
appropriation of land where a multistory tower project is still
under way. (rms)