How about the role of the central vs regional/local governments in regards to Oil & Gas?
Oil & Gas policy is centralized at the federal level. There is a law (Number 25), regulating the financial attributions of local authorities vis-à-vis the central government. There are many challenges today for Indonesia’s O&G sector, such as optimizing production and developing new fields. Investors seem more willing to focus on existing oilfields rather than exploring new areas, because they say there is a lot of inconsistency with the laws. What do you think about that? I think that there are too many laws in Indonesia that intervene in O&G activities, coming from many other government entities besides those directly responsible for energy and mineral resources. Indonesia basically needs 3 new laws: natural resources management, ‘physical distribution’, and land management. These laws require coordination with other ministries like Forestry and Environment. For now the only law already completed is the second one. You have been here nearly 8 years. Tell us about some of your main pa
