"Officers should not engage in politics. They should work professionally and be competent," Pandjaitan said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Monday urged all officers in the energy and mineral resources ministry to be professional and said the newly appointed energy minister has his full support.

"Officers should not engage in politics. They should work professionally and be competent," Pandjaitan said on Monday. Officers should concern themselves with the utilization of new and renewable energy in the country. "How can we get the price of gas to below 7USD," the minister questioned.

Pandjaitan said he would support the new Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignatius Jonan and his deputy Arcandra Tahar in carrying out their duties and called on Commission VII of House of Representatives to assist them. "The two of them are competent professionals who can develop the countrys energy and mineral resources".

Jonan and Tahar took their oaths in front of the president at the State Palace on Friday, before he left for a work visit to West Kalimantan Province. Jonan was installed as the energy minister for the remaining term of office, till 2019, through Presidential Decree No. 114/P/2016, concerning the appointment of a working cabinet minister. Tahar was ordained through Presidential Decree No. 115/P/2016.

On Friday, after the swearing-in ceremony, House Speaker Ade Komarudin hailed the appointment. "This is a pleasant surprise," he said at the presidential palace grounds, appreciating Jonan's capability and performance as a transportation minister earlier. He said he had noticed Jonans track record while he was president director of state railway company, PT Kereta Api. "His legacy will never wane and will last a lifetime. PT KA made progress under his watch. Now he has been entrusted to lead the field of energy".

Komarudin said Jonan had the right partner in his deputy. "Taher is an intellectual and has a good grasp of technical matters. I am optimistic that the energy sector will be managed very well under the two".(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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