It is not easy to lead Pertamina, which has various complex problems, yet that is the challenge of a leader."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The newly appointed President Director of PT Pertamina, Elia Massa Manik, is expected to optimize teamwork at the state-owned oil and gas company.
Pertamina needs a leader, who is able to achieve teamwork, and not individual productivity. Thus, he should build communications on all lines. Good teamwork can be built with mutual trust and trust can only be built with good communications.
Elia should build communication among the management, the board of directors and board of commissioners so that it becomes easier for the company to execute its programs.
"So far, teamwork at Pertamina has not been optimal so the board of commissioners had proposed the restructuring of the organization and the leadership," Pertamina Chief Commissioner Tanri Abeng said in Jakarta on Thursday (March 16).
Recently, State-owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno had picked Elia as president director of Pertamina to replace Dwi Soetjipto, who was discharged on February 3.
Appointed to the post of Pertaminas President Director, based on State Enterprises Ministers Decree No. SK-52/MBU/03/2017, Elia had earlier held the post of president director of state-owned plantation holding company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) III.
According to Tanri, by improving communication, Elia would be able to manage Pertamina and face various challenges, no matter how difficult they are.
Pertaminas Chief Commissioner said in the coming two months after the appointment of the new President Director, Pertamina will organize a top leadership retreat, where the boards of directors and commissioners will discuss strategies to execute programs.
"It is not easy to lead Pertamina, which has various complex problems, yet that is the challenge of a leader," asserted Tanri.
He further said Pertamina requires professionals, such as Elia, who can build solid teamwork in the company. "With a solid team and active communication with commissioners, Elia and Pertamina board members will be able to execute all strategic programs for the company," he asserted.
Gatot Trihargo, the state enterprises ministers deputy for financial service business, presented the decree on Elias appointment at the State Enterprises Ministry in Jakarta on Thursday, marking the official appointment of Elia to the Pertamina president director's post.
Gatot stated that Elias appointment was based on his capacity to lead the company, owing to his experience of bringing about a transformation in several companies.
"Manik has experience in the fields of energy, banking, and agro-industry. His track record as the CEO of several companies is praiseworthy," he noted.
Even, senior minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan praised Elia as a restructuring expert.
"I know it from the media and I know him personally too. He once worked with me in settling problems in Elnusa. He also performed well when he was at the helm of the plantation holding company PT Perkebunan (PTPN III). He is an expert in restructuring and is very strong," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut said.
He expressed hope that Elia would incorporate improved, efficient measures at Pertamina that many quarters have expected, besides increasing the use of local content in its businesses.
"I think Massa understands the company and its management well. I think he will bring about many changes," he added.
The new president director of PT Pertamina has expressed his commitment to strengthening human resources at the state-owned oil and gas firm, so that it becomes more productive.
"The focus is to improve the human resources, not only in terms of the system, but also in terms of the holistic skills of human resources, so that they are able to compete well," Elia said at the Pertamina headquarters.
He noted that many agendas are yet to be carried out as part of the governments program to realize energy sovereignty. "All rank and file of Pertamina, from top leaders to staff members, must have holistic skills with regards to building leadership skills," he revealed.
He further stated that Pertaminas human resources face difficulties. Besides that, the board of directors must also be united, because Pertamina needs to work quickly and efficiently.
Elia explained that he was still studying Pertamina's business and still needs time to adapt to the conditions. "Usually it takes up to three months for adaptation. I hope this time it would be speedier than that," he added.
Elia was born in Medan, North Sumatra, on May 1, 1965. He graduated from the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Planning at the Bandung Institute of Technology and holds a Masters degree in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management in Makati, the Philippines.
He began his career with state-owned enterprises when he was appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of PT Kertas Basuki Rahmat for the 2010-2011 period and the CEO of PT Elnusa Tbk, a subsidiary of Pertamina, for the 2011-2014 period. In addition, he was the former senior executive vice president of state lender Bank BNI for the 2015-2016 period.
On April 13, 2016, he was appointed as the President Director of state plantation holding company PTPN III, and since Sept 1, 2016, has been the chief commissioner of PTPN IV.
(T.A014/INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Reporter: Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
