“If there is suspected fraud or corruption, the KPK has the authority to investigate,” said Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesperson Budi Prasetyo on Thursday.
He said state-owned firms manage public funds and their leadership qualifies as public officials, regardless of nationality.
“BUMNs handle state finances, and their executives are considered public officials under the law,” Budi said at KPK headquarters in Jakarta.
His statement followed recent remarks by President Prabowo Subianto, who announced that foreign nationals are now allowed to lead BUMNs under new regulations.
“I’ve changed the rules. Now expatriates can lead our BUMNs,” Prabowo said during a dialogue with Forbes Media Group Chairman Steve Forbes in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Prabowo also said he had directed the management of Danantara, the state investment agency, to hire top international talent in line with global business standards.
“I told Danantara’s management to find the best talent, even from abroad,” he said.
In line with this policy, national airline Garuda Indonesia has appointed two foreign nationals as directors.
Balagopal Kunduvara now serves as Finance and Risk Management Director, while Neil Raymond Mills has taken on the role of Transformation Director.
The appointments were made during an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on October 15, 2025.
Kunduvara previously served as Divisional Vice President of Financial Services at Singapore Airlines (2021–2025), while Mills was most recently an aviation consultant at NM Aviation Limited and earlier held senior roles at Scandinavian Airlines.
KPK's clarification comes as Indonesia expands its effort to attract global talent into state-run companies, while ensuring accountability and oversight remain in place.
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Translator: Rio Feisal, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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