"If they enter the campaign team, they have to step down according to the law," Thohir remarked after the BSI Tower groundbreaking event, here on Thursday.
The minister made the statement in response to Arief Rosyid, who resigned from the position of commissioner of PT Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) after being appointed as the commander of young voters in the National Campaign Team for Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
He pointed out that the Ministry of SOEs had issued a letter to all employees to resign immediately if they were involved in political campaigns, as it was stipulated in the ministerial regulation.
Minister Thohir said he respects the decision taken by Rosyid.
"Because of the law, I respect Rosyid's decision. Initially, I assigned him to mobilize (sharia banking) to the younger generation, so they can be closer to the sharia economy," he remarked.
Furthermore, he noted that other SOE commissioners had resigned from their positions, and his side is still looking for replacements.
According to the minister, Indonesia has vast human resources capable of continuing the work of past SOE commissioners.
"There are many good figures in Indonesia. We cannot stay with one or two figures, as the country is becoming more educated with improved ethics. We must encourage new figures," he stated.
In addition to Rosyid, other SOE commissioners that resigned from their positions were Eko Sulistyo of state electricity firm PT PLN and Budiman Sudjatmiko, who was the independent commissioner of state-owned agricultural company PTPN V.
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Translator: Maria C, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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