Two of Jokowi's Nephews at Pertamina Draw Public Scrutiny: Who Are They? Here's Their Profile

Thu, 26 Feb 2026, 15:46 WIB | By Gana Buana | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Politics

The appointment of close relatives of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, in the management of a subsidiary of PT Pertamina (Persero) has once again become a hot topic in the online world.

The issue of meritocracy and the governance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) has emerged after the public highlighted the strategic positions held by Bagaskara Ikhlasulla Arif and Joko Priyambodo.

Sharp criticism from netizens has poured in, especially regarding the transparency of the recruitment process in the crucial national energy sector. Several parties believe in the importance of applying strict meritocratic principles in filling positions in vital sectors such as oil and gas.

Bagaskara Ikhlasulla Arif is the son of Titik Relawati, who is the youngest sister of Joko Widodo. Since March 2024, Bagaskara has served as Manager of Non-Government Relations at PT Pertamina (Persero).

In response to public attention, Pertamina provided clarification that the appointment process for Bagaskara was carried out through professional channels.

The company claims that the recruitment followed standard operating procedures applicable to expert personnel in the SOE environment.

The second name that has attracted attention is Joko Priyambodo. He was appointed as Director of Marketing and Operations at PT Patra Logistik, a subsidiary of Pertamina, since May 20, 2024.

Joko Priyambodo has family ties with the Jokowi family through his marriage. He is the son-in-law of Idayati (Jokowi’s younger sister) who is currently the wife of the former Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Anwar Usman. The Director position he holds places Joko in a crucial role in the national energy logistics supply chain.

This phenomenon has triggered a wave of criticism on social media regarding the governance of state-owned companies. Netizens urge that the filling of strategic positions in SOEs be carried out openly and based on proven track records and competencies.

The principle of meritocracy in SOEs is regulated to ensure that individuals who lead strategic sectors have adequate integrity and technical capabilities for the public interest, not based on political or family ties.

As of this report, the discussion about professionalism in the Pertamina environment continues to be a hot topic, along with the government’s efforts to improve the image and performance of state-owned companies in the eyes of the international community. (Z-10)

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