Jakarta, (Antara Sumbar) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan described as badly misleading reports saying the government is selling state companies (BUMNs) to repay debts.
The government did not sell BUMNs, but wanted to create cooperation between BUMN and private companies, Luhut said here on Monday.
"I want to clarify the statement that it is to utilize the government ports by the private sector. There is no selling. What we do is to involve the private sector that private companies also could grow. The information is misleading saying that we sold BUMNs to repay debt," he said.
He said the cooperation with the private sector in the port sector is to create efficiency as generally the private sector attached greater importance to efficiency in investment.
The private sector also could be involved in the national development projects and make profit, he added.
"For example, there has been cooperation at the Port of Sintete, in West Kalimantan and in East Java. It could create much cost efficiency saving more funds for investment in other projects," he said.
Luhut said with improved efficiency the government could put more funds for development projects in other parts of Indonesia.
"We could not rely only the state budget to finance the government program. The state budget could only cover up to 30 percent - 40 percent of the fund needed for infrastructure projects. We need US$350 billion - US$400 billion for the projects," he pointed out.
Earlier, Luhut was reported as proposing reorganization of BUMNs by selling them. Luhut was commenting on complaint by a member of the chamber of commerce and industry that BUMNs with their 800 subsidiaries monopolized government projects. (*)
Editor: Vicha Faradika