Govt to Prepare Comprehensive Book on State Assets Management

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government is documenting a comprehensive book on the management of state property, so that the ownership of assets can be recorded properly, stated Finance Minister Chatib Basri.

"Certainly, not in this period, but maybe in the next government, it could be a book about the balance of state assets, including the assets of natural resources," said Chatib Basri as quoted by Antara News.

The minister remarked that Indonesia has a wealth of assets ranging from infrastructure to combat vehicles, including natural resources that have not been recorded orderly wherein the state property had a high value.

"Indonesia has a lot of assets in the form of state property, such as helicopters and warships. It is remarkable and after taking into account the natural resources, the list becomes even bigger," he noted.

Chatib affirmed that the control of assets and the presence of the book will offer some indirect benefits to the government as it will be able to avail additional data on assets for the issuance of certain bonds.

"The book has a high value if it is used as leverage, so this is about financing for development," he emphasized.

The minister admitted that it was not an easy task to identify the assets. But, since the formation of the Directorate General of State in 2005, the management of state property had been conducted smoothly.

"Prior to 2005, we had so many assets, but we do not know that they belonged to us. But, since 2005, we have progressed significantly," he noted.

According to Chatib, the government will manage the assets of the former Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (BPPN), which had not been resolved due to lack of administration and documentation related to these assets.

"For ex-BPPN assets, its identification is not an easy process because the documentation must be completed," he added.

ANTARA