Transfer of Managing the Rokan Block for Special Gifts of the Republic of Indonesia’s Anniversary
By: Denny Indrayana )*
The Rokan Block, which is the largest oil refinery, has returned to Indonesia. This transfer of management is a sweet gift for the anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia in August , so it is hoped that it can help the country’s financial condition and overcome the various effects of the Covid- 19 pandemic .
Indonesia is a country rich in natural resources, such as copper, gold, gas and oil. But unfortunately some are still managed by foreigners, because they came before our independence, so a deal was made between the Dutch and the company. But now the Rokan oil refinery in Riau has been returned to Indonesia and its management is entrusted to a state-owned company.
The return of the Rokan block to the motherland is a proud achievement, because after 90 years it is finally ours again. President Jokowi congratulated this achievement and appreciated and trusted the SOEs that held it. Starting August 9, 2021, the official Rokan block will no longer be managed by foreigners.
If the Rokan block belongs to Indonesia, then this is the most special gift, because the acquisition took place in August, so that when the Republic of Indonesia celebrates its 17th anniversary, it will already have a good oil refinery. It is natural for the president to praise the tenacity of SOEs in the process of transferring this management, because there are so many things that must be taken care of, especially for the bureaucracy.
In addition, the rokan block is the best gift for the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence Day, because we can manage our own natural resources in this country. After the successful acquisition of a copper mining company in Eastern Indonesia, the transfer of ownership of the oil refinery was the right move. If we can manage our own human resources, we will achieve self-sufficiency in fuel and no longer depend on world oil prices or imports from abroad.
Foreign parties are also willing to retreat regularly and are not desperate to defend the Rokan block, because they know themselves. The Rokan block is located in Indonesia, so it is natural that it is managed by a state-owned company. They are enough to manage for 90 years and can continue it in other countries.
Appreciation must be given because if the oil refinery is owned by a BUMN, then the profits will automatically be for the state. So that they can have sufficient funds to cover Indonesia’s finances, which was almost knocked out due to the pandemic, because vaccination programs, etc., of course require huge costs. This money can also be channeled to other programs in overcoming the effects of the Covid pandemic in Indonesia.
SOE Minister Erick Thohir stated that the management of the Rokan block by a state-owned company has been President Jokowi’s commitment since 2018. In a sense, the president wants the oil refinery to be owned by Indonesia so that it will benefit all Indonesian citizens. So that we can achieve a better standard of living.
Minister Erick added that the Rokan block could improve the national economy, especially in the Sumatra region. Now is the time for BUMN officers to maintain and increase the output of oil refineries, build independence and sovereignty of the national economy.
Meanwhile, the new acquisition was successfully carried out in 2021 because of course it took a long process and thorough preparation. Don’t bully anyone because they don’t know how hard it is to divert an oil refinery. In addition, this acquisition is very safe because employees of foreign companies from Indonesia will be recruited to become employees of BUMN, so there will be no dismissal.
The return to the bosom of Indonesia, Rokan block into a gift beautiful in August, bu l an independence. We should be proud of being able to acquire a large oil refinery, so that we can be self-sufficient in fuel and increase the country’s finances.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students
