REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Publish What You Pay Indonesia asked President Joko Widodo to immediately establish a definitive Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). Publish What You Pay Indonesia is a coalition of 35 civil society organizations in Indonesia that pay attention to the issue of improving the governance of the oil and gas extractive industries, mining, and natural resources.

Given the many strategic agendas in the energy and mineral resources sector that must be resolved immediately, they suggested that the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo set a number of criteria before determining the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources replacing Arcandra Tahar. The following criteria of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources should be selected and determined by President Jokowi according to the Publish What You Pay Indonesia Coalition:
1. Uphold and have trusted integrity.
2. Be honest, have a clean reputation, and have never indicated corruption, money laundering practices, and other criminal acts.
3. Having background knowledge, experience, and concern in the field of energy and mineral resources.
4. Do not have affiliations and conflicts of interest (conflicts of interest) with related businesses in the energy and mineral resources sector (oil and gas, minerals and coal, electricity, as well as renewable energy).
5. Commit to publishing assets and assets in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
6. Comply with tax obligations and comply with applicable tax regulations.
7. Not from certain political parties, can come from professionals, observers, and practitioners.
8. Uphold the principles of professionalism, transparency, and accountability as well as good organizational governance.
9. Have a commitment to improving the management of energy and mineral resources that are sustainable and in favor of the interests of the nation.
10. Having a vision and mission to achieve energy security and independence, and increase added value that provides maximum benefits for the prosperity of the community.

“The energy and mineral resources sector is a vital sector of development, which needs to be ensured that its management is correct,” Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia National Coordinator, Maryati Abdullah, said recently.
She said the government must create a conducive and cautious climate without the intervening interests of individuals or groups of renters. In addition, there is also a need for support for national energy security, sustainable development, and as much as possible for the welfare of society.