Batam Mayor Named BP Batam Head

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution inaugurates Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi as Head of BP Batam, Jakarta, Friday (27/9). (Photo by: Coordinating Ministry for the Economy PR)

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution – who is also Chairman of the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Port Area (KPBPB) – on Friday (27/9) in Jakarta inaugurated incumbent Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi as Head of the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Zone Management Agency (BP Batam).

Deputy to BP Batam Head Purwiyanto, Member of Administration and Finance Division Wahjoe Triwidijo Koentjoro, Member of Area ​​Management and Investment Division Sudirman Saad, and Member of Business Affairs Division Shahril Japarin were also inaugurated.

In addition, to strengthen BP Batam’s position, Head of Secretariat of the National Council for Special Economic Zones (KEK) Enoh Suharto Pranoto was also appointed as acting Member of Strategic Policy Division.

“We have conducted a selection process to fill the position of Deputy Head and Members of BP Batam by highlighting the candidates’ competencies including their integrity, technical abilities, managerial abilities, and work experience,” said Darmin.

Darmin added that the Batam KPBPB Zone Council had also prepared the new BP Batam organizational structure and work procedures.

“There are four from initial five members, but the division of tasks will be more focused. This has been approved by Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms,” said Darmin, adding that the newly appointed officials is expected to manage assets owned well and professionally

In the meantime, the KPBPB Batam Regional Council has also approved proposals of two KEK namely Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of Batam Aero Technic (BAT) KEK and Nongsa Digital Park KEK.

Darmin went on to say that Batam boasts comparative and competitive advantages as an economic region as well as high investment attractiveness.

The newly appointed BP Batam officials, according to Darmin, are expected to give maximum contribution through increased investment by means of reducing investment barriers, mainly those related to investment rules and licensing in Batam.

For the record, Government Regulation Number 62 of 2019 on second amendment to Government Regulation Number 46 of 2007 on the Batam KPBPB has mandated the restructuring of the BP Batam organization.

The main points of Government Regulation Number 62 of 2019 are as follows:

1. Addition of activities in the Batam KPBPB, namely logistics, technology development, energy, health and pharmacy, so BP Batam’s complete economic activities cover trade, maritime, industry, transportation, banking, tourism, logistics, technology development, energy, health and pharmacy, and other fields.
2. Joint Planning of Public Infrastructure and Public Interest; BP Batam together with the Government of Batam City has planned the construction of public infrastructure and public interests coordinated by the Batam Zone Council.
3. Ex-officio Head of BP Batam; Head of BP Batam is held ex-officio by Mayor of Batam (with the provision that the aforementioned is not currently serving a detention period and no temporary absence), as determined by Decree of the Batam Zone Council. Meanwhile, the ex-officio term of office in accordance with the KPBPB Law and the Regional Government Law is to follow the term of office of the Mayor. Deputy Head of BP Batam is also mandated to carry out the duties and authority when the ex-officio is in absence. In carrying out its duties, the Ex-officio guides the handling of conflicts of interest. (Coordinating Ministry for the Economy PR/ES)

Translated by: Muhardi

Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas