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New energy minister to be a professional, Luhut says
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Former energy and mineral resources minister Arcandra Tahar. (Kompas.com/Wisnu Widiantoro)
C
oordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan has said the government will pick a professional as the new energy and mineral resources minister, replacing Arcandra Tahar who was dismissed on Monday.
"Pak Candra is a professional. The next minister will preferably a professional also," the senior minister said on the sidelines of the 71st Independence Day ceremony at the State Palace on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said the decision on the appointment of the next energy minister was President Jokowi's prerogative.
"What is clear now is that Pak Luhut is the acting minister while the President is still reviewing and considering [possibilities]. It is entirely the President's authority" he said.
Earlier, an energy economic observer from Gadjah Mada University, Fahmy Radhi, suggested the person appointed to replace Arcandra Tahar, who was dismissed Monday evening due to dual-citizenship issues, should have the power to keep interest groups in the energy and mineral resources sector from gaining personal profit from Indonesia's natural resources.
However, he acknowledged that some politicians, such as Satya Widya Yudha from the Golkar Party and Kurtubi from the NasDem Party, were capable of leading the ministry. (rez/ebf)
