Minister Luhut Opens Up on Pertamina and Elia Massa`s Discharge

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan shared his thought on Elia Massa Manik’s recent discharge from her former position as Pertamina’s President Director.

Luhut personally saw Elia Massa as a person that is smart with immense personality, “She was a person who walked a straight path,” said Luhut during breakfast at the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC on Sunday, April 22.

Elia Massa was not the only Pertamina higher-up who was replaced during a shareholder’s meeting (RUPS) last week. Four other board of directors who were also discharged from the state-oil company.

The State-Owned Enterprise Ministry appointed Nicke Widyawati as a temporary replacement for the position left by Elia Massa, filling the vacant position as Pertamina’s Chairman and Human Resources Director.

According to reports, there were several reasons that drove the SOE Ministry to replace five board of directors in Pertamina. Firstly, it was to accelerate the formation of a holding company in the oil and gas sector and the second reason is related to the recent predicament of the Balikpapan Bay piping accident and the fuel scarcity in several Indonesian regions.

Furthermore, Luhut said that Elia Massa should embrace the company’s decision that he considers as life’s dynamics. He also said that as a person, Elia is committed to her profession, “Almost every job that she handles turned out great. As far as I’m concerned, she is a true professional,” said Luhut.

Elia Massa Manik’s professionalism, according to Luhut, was shown when she presented Pertamina’s comprehensive roadmap for 15 years ahead that was already presented in front of several Indonesian Ministers.

WAHYU MURYADI