Karen Agustiawan Quits Pertamina

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two months before the end of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration, Karen Agustiawan suddenly stepped down from her post as Pertamina president director. One of the reasons for her resignation from the state oil company is to focus on taking care of her family.

Pertamina spokesman Ali Mundakir said Karen's resignation is purely based on personal reasons. According to Ali, Karen sent the company a formal letter of resignation on August 13, 2014. The letter was also addressed to State Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan.

Important positions in a state oil company are always changing with every passing government. President-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo poised to make a breakthrough against state-owned enterprises.

Last month, Jokowi indicated that the oil mafia is very powerful and detrimental to the country. He did not mention Pertamina, but he did say that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources need a strong leader that has integrity. "To overcome this mafia [problem], there needs to be strong leadership," he said in Solo on Sunday, July 27.

Karen became Pertamina president director on February 5, 2009 replacing Ari H. Soemarno. Her term should have expired on February 5, 2014, but SOE Minister Dahlan Iskan extended it until 2018.

ALI NUR YASIN | FAIZ NASRILLAH | NURIMAN JAYABUANA