ENERGY MINISTER TO MEET HOUSE COMMISSION ON ROW WITH PERTAMINA

Semarang, Feb 21 (ANTARA) - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said he would meet a summons from the House of Representatives (DPR)'s Commission VII in connection with the commission's row with state oil company PT Pertamina.
"Next Monday (Feb 23), I will come to the House and am ready to give clarifications," Yusgiantoro said after attending a civic mission activity to help flood victims in Semarang Utara sub district on Friday.
The minister said he would explain to the House members that decisions on appointing Pertamina president directors were in the hands of the government and the DPR.
"It is the government that appoints Pertamina president directors but if the DPR wants to give a recommendation, it is alright because we are in a democratic country," Yusgiantoro said.
He said the present Pertamina president director was elected by the government through the existing mechanism and rules, and the process of election was made in accordance with the rules made by the board of commissioners, fit and proper test from State Ministry for State Enterprises, and the selection from the final Team of Evaluators.
"Thus the rules are clear and the Pertamina president director was not elected arbitrarily," Yusgiantoro said.
He expressed hope that no party would have doubts about the performance of the new Pertamina president director, Karen Agustiawan, who had just worked for two weeks and therefore her performance had yet to be evaluated.
Yusgiantoro said he would ask about the root of the problem to the DPR.
"If the DPR wants to have the present Pertamina president director replaced it should give a clear reason and follow the rules," the energy minister said.
Relations between Pertamina and House Commission VI which deals with energy soured recently after the company sent the Commission a letter criticizing the way in which legislators had quizzed Agustiawan in her first hearing with the commission.