No Political Reason Behind Karen's Resignation

Jakarta, Aug 20 (Antara) - The resignation of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina`s Chief Executive Officer Karen Agustiawan was neither due to any political reason nor government pressure, noted Economic Minister Chairul Tanjung. "Neither political reason nor government pressure has forced Karen to resign from her post as Pertamina`s CEO," the economic minister remarked at a press meeting here on Wednesday. Chairul stated that Karen resigned for personal reasons after having served for six and a half years in Pertamina. He also admitted that she had tendered her resignation on several earlier occasions, and this time, it was accepted by the state enterprises minister. "I know exactly that her resignation has nothing to do with politics, government pressure, and economic policy," Chairul noted. Pertamina spokesman Ali Mundakir has also reported that Karen`s resignation was due to personal reasons. "It is true that she has filed a letter of resignation with the company and also addressed a copy to the state enterprises minister. She has decided to resign as she wants to spend the rest of her life with her family," Ali informed the press here on Monday. Karen, who will resign on October 1, 2014, had assumed the post of Pertamina president director on February 5, 2009. She earlier served as Pertamina`s upstream director until March 5, 2008. On March 5, 2013, the government had reappointed her as Pertamina`s president director until 2018. "So, Mrs Karen has occupied the posts of director and president director for six and a half years," Ali stated. Six and a half years were enough for Karen to promote Pertamina, and she felt it was time to provide opportunities to her subordinates, he noted. Ali affirmed that Karen had successfully turned Pertamina into a world-class company.