P

resident Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo has made a great speech, particularly about the benefits of investors to develop infrastructure. That sounded very encouraging and inspiring, but I find it very difficult to follow, in more ways than one.

I am not trying to belittle you or poke fun at you, but looking at the investments that the government has already endorsed and accepted, I find that your administration has a gigantic task ahead when reference is made to the 66 investments in smelter plants that were concluded by the past government via the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

Since the total investment for the 66 smelter plants is arguably considered to be the '€œmother of all'€ investments, I would like to pose just a few questions to you.

Ministries and agencies are on the verge of revamping or reorganizing staffing problems and time is of the essence to get things moving within the constrained budget set by the former president.

You stated that every infrastructure project had long-term benefits for both the people and investors, and how will you get these started when Indonesia is committed to provide the 66 smelter investors with land and business permits, reallocation of villagers, energy supplies, roads, railroads, water, port storage warehouses and wharf facilities '€” not to mention the housing facilities for foreign engineers and technical staff.

What time frame is needed for the first smelter plant to start firing? Is state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina ready to meet the deadlines?

For how many more years do you see zero export income from the mineral ore industry continuing?

One can see a mind boggling cycle taking place without taking into account other responsibilities related to coal, oil and gas exploration and commitments.

Potential investors are aware of the anticipated painstaking problems that exist in the country, but the big question to ask now must be is the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry big enough to oversee, cater or even answer to the needs of all the 66 smelter investors?

The SBY era is over. No answers came about. Consider them as half told stories or bad policies conjured up by a golfer-cum-holiday seeker and a non committal ex-president.

Luwanto
Jakarta