Formation of Holding of Oil and Gas State-Owned Enterprises Do Not Needed to Be Preceded by PGN Acquisition By Pertagas

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Member of Parliament Bowo Sidik Pangarso said the formation of the holding company of oil and Gas Company does not need to be preceded by the acquisition of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) to PT Pertamina Gas (Pertagas) because Pertagas will automatically merge with PGN.

"At the time of holding, Pertagas will automatically be under PGN. He becomes the same business entity, so there will be no more dualism," said Vice Chairman of Commission VI of the House of Representatives in charge of the BUMN issue in his written statement in Jakarta, Friday (19/1/2018).

According to Bowo, Oil and Gas Holding must be established first, whereby Pertamina becomes the parent company. Only then will there be consolidation, to clarify which is part of the oil and gas business.

Bowo said healthy financial condition and performance of Pertagas should also be a consideration of the acquisition plan. For that reason, while waiting for the completion of the holding process, all that can be done is to allow PGN and Pertagas to concentrate on its business.

In order not to occur in the field, the Ministry of SOEs can coordinate and bring together the president of each company on a single table.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Gas Users (Apigas) Sumut Johan Brien said, North Sumatra province is an example of a region that became "victims" policy high gas prices. Until now the price of gas in the region is the highest in Indonesia, even the world, he said.

"Therefore, we strongly disagree with the acquisition of PGN against Pertagas, the acquisition of Pertagas will make us worse off," said Johan.

Even so Apigas agreed related to Oil and Gas Holding plan. However, Holding Migas should be able to guarantee the availability of gas supply and utilization of more efficient infrastructure so that gas prices can be cheaper in North Sumatra.