The commissioner positions at State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are back under public scrutiny. The practice of appointing figures with backgrounds as politicians, officials, and political volunteers to strategic seats in state-owned companies is considered not fully grounded in professional competence.
Findings from Transparency International Indonesia (TII) indicate that filling commissioner seats is often not driven solely by managerial needs of the company. Instead, the appointment process is heavily intersected with political relations and efforts to accommodate certain parties affiliated with power.
This situation raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of the oversight function within SOEs. As an extension of the government in guiding corporate operations, commissioners should possess technical expertise and high integrity to ensure companies run efficiently and free from practical political interests.
Criticism from various circles demands stricter recruitment standardization within SOE boards of commissioners. Transparency and meritocracy are key to ensuring state companies can make optimal contributions to the national economy, rather than merely serving as tools for consolidating group influence.
