Speaking at a national dialog on "Transforming BUMN towards National Economic Resilience," at The New Benakutai Hotel here on Friday Kalla said BUMNs remain needed, especially for developing businesses that require pioneering, huge capital, high risks and vast networking.
He referred to the oil and gas industry as an example which has been Pertamina`s expertise so far. Pioneering was essential in the industry, he said.
Kalla who is also known as a successful businessman said seeking oil and gas requires huge capital, courage and risk as well as vast networks. "That is a common thing that Pertamina has so far been dealing with," he said.
He said the four factors: pioneering, capital, courage to take risks and network must also be used as a reference for other BUMNs to progress and advance.
"By doing that BUMNs would be able to maintain national economic resilience," he said.
Jusuf Kalla said BUMNs could always become economic drivers including in big or small countries or in countries with abundant natural resources or those that do not have resources.
As an example he referred to Singapore. "Singapore`s population is only four million, its resources is limited but it has Temasek, which is a state-owned company that has become the holding company for many businesses," he said.
Kalla meanwhile referred to China as an example of a big country with population reaching 1.4 billion and 80 percent of its state-owned companies listed at Shanghai Stock Exchange.
He said the US and Australia meanwhile are examples of big countries that are rich in natural resources that have successful BUMNs.
Meanwhile, he said Japan and South Korea are examples of countries that have poor natural resources but superior human resources. He said the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea as well as Malaysia all have strong BUMNs in addition to aggressive private companies.
Kalla said when a lot of private companies tumbled during the economic crisis a crisis the BUMNs have come out as saviors.
In response to a question he did not deny that BUMNs in the country had been used as milk cows by state officials and political parties especially when they were still under ministries. "But now they have been put under the ministry."
He said under Dahlan (the state enterprises minister) he believed there would be no "katebelece" (informal requests from figures) or others. "The situation now is better and more open," he said. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
