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Jakarta Post

Arcandra declines to deny rumor of promotion to minister

Viriya Paramita (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, May 19, 2017

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Arcandra declines to deny rumor of promotion to minister Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan (left) and his deputy Arcandra Tahar talk to journalists after their inauguration at the State Palace on Oct. 14. (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)

Deputy energy and mineral resources minister Arcandra Tahar has not denied rumors that he may soon replace Minister Ignasius Jonan.

After being asked by reporters about the rumors on the sidelines of the 41st Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) Convention and Exhibition in Jakarta on Friday, he said he just wanted to give his best to the country.

"When I decided to come back home [from the United States], I just wanted to do the best for my country," he said.

"Now, I already have tons of work to do."

(Read also: Jonan, Arcandra back in the saddle)

​​​​Arcandra was initially appointed as energy and mineral resources minister after a Cabinet reshuffle in July last year.

However, after holding the position for only 19 days, he was dismissed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in August after it came to light that Arcandra, who lived in the US for 20 years, held two passports — one from the US and one from Indonesia.

The 2006 Citizenship Law stipulates that Indonesians automatically lose their Indonesian citizenship if they voluntarily accept foreign citizenship.

If the rumors prove to be true, Arcandra will have many tasks ahead, including resolving the contractual dispute between the government and gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia, the subsidiary of American mining giant Freeport-McMoRan.

"[The most important thing is] justice and fairness for all," he said. (bbn)

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