Pertamina names new chief commissioner

In a bid to help stop rampant fuel smuggling, the government has named retired General Endriartono Sutarto as the chief commissioner of Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina. Sutarto succeeds Martiono Hadianto, who had held the office since 2005. Two other members were appointed to the board of commissioners: Irnanda from the State Enterprise Ministry and Maizar Rahman, Indonesia’s chief representative to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Other members of the five-member board are Umar Said and Muhammad Abduh. Indonesia’s Minister for State Enterprises Soegiarto Sugiharto said he had high hopes that the commission will be able to halt widespread fuel smuggling, which results in severe losses to the treasury. (December 9, 2006)