JOGJAKARTA (KU) - State-Owned Enterprises should be more empowered to be able to contribute to the country's economy through restructuring, profit, and privatization programs. Of the three programs, the state could provide significant support to the government efforts in developing capital market. The role of the state-owned enterprises is even more strategically visible in the center of global crisis pressure as is the case today.
That was delivered by former State Minister for State-Owned Enterprises, Tanri Abeng, MBA., in the open doctoral examination of multidisciplinary studies program, Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, on Saturday (17/7).
In his dissertation, Tanri Abeng, revealed the important role of state enterprises in running the economy as seen in the growth of increased investment spending from Rp 32 trillion in 2004 to 128 trillion in 2008. State Owned Enterprises Ministry estimated their investment spending in 2008 would continue to rise to Rp 152 trillion. Their dividend contribution to state revenues jumped almost 300 percent from less than Rp10 trillion in 2004 to Rp29 trillion in 2008. Net income also grew by 77 % from Rp 44 trillion to Rp 78 trillion in 2008.
"The Ministry of State Owned Enterprises recorded that market capitalization of 15 open enterpries in the Indonesia Stock Exchange in April 2009 reached Rp 373.74 trillion while in the year 2005, total market capitalization was only about Rp260 trillion or 32.4 % of total market capitalization on the Indonesian Stock Exchange," said the cum laude graduate.
Nevertheless, this husband of Farida Abeng said that out of 132 state enterprises, 22 enterprises are still problematic because they do not have commercialization value and are politically intervened by the government and Parliament. Among the enterprises are PT. KA and PT. PLN. To fix the problem, they must be specially handled. "Because there is a political policy intervention, i.e. tariff determination, those enterprises should be specially handled. The rest is made as holding companies," the man born in South Sulawesi 68 years ago, said. Besides, Tanri Abeng proposed that the legislative body like the House of Representatives should not intervene but provides solutions to improve the state-owned enterprises.
To the examiners, he conveyed that state-owned enterprises restructuring is expected to form an entity that has high competitiveness that will eventually be able to create high profits. Furthermore, profitization aimed to improve aggresively company efficiency in order to achieve its optimum profitability and value.
"This program is focused on internal consolidation to refocus the business, increase its revenue and reduce costs," Tanri Abeng said. Meanwhile, privatization tries to increase the spread of ownership to the community, both foreign and domestic, in order to obtain access of financing, market, technology and skills to compete at the global level.
Prof. Nopirin, his promoter, expressed his pride because Tanri Abeng graduated cum laude. He admired Tanri Abeng who is always diligent and serious following consultation schedules. Despite his outstanding experiences in managing many corporations, being named 'manager of one billion', becoming minister for State Owned Enterprises, head of international institutions, but those did not reduce his spirit during consultation.
“Tanri Abeng who is now over 60 years old did not see his maturity as an obstacle for pursuing further degree. He seriously and diligently worked on his dissertation. We, the promoters, found his methods and analysis good and in compliance with academic requirement.”
Nopirin asked Tanri Abeng to always pass on the experience and knowledge for members of family, relatives and communities. "Learning is not only finished after his doctorate degree, but continues as lifelong learning. Your experience would be useful for yourself, family and community," he said.
Nopirin hoped Tanri Abeng as an UGM alumnus to uphold the good name of the alma mater by doing goodness for society. "You are now a member of UGM alumni. Carry the name of UGM high," Nopirin concluded.
Some influential figures were present in the open examination, including the Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, Minister of State Owned Enterprises, Mustafa Abubakar, Chairman of Council of Regional Representatives, Irman Gusman, Former Minister of Transportation, Jusman Syafei Jamal, Former State Minister for Regional Autonomy, Dr. M. Ryaas Rashid, and Dr. Anggito Abimanyu.