The PROCESS of transferring the 10% participating interest (PI) of the Masela Block to the Maluku Provincial Government is currently stuck or stalled.
The process, which had entered the sixth stage, suddenly stopped because there was a letter from Inpex Masela that said it had received directions to postpone the PI process to Maluku BUMD.
The Director of PT Maluku Energi Abadi (MEA), Musalam Latuconsina, a BUMD of the Maluku Provincial Government who participated in working on the 10% PI of the Masela Block, conveyed that the people, especially the Maluku DPRD continued to question the continuation of the Masela Block gas project.
“The Masela Block work process has started with the Inpex operator. MEA as a representative of the Maluku Provincial Government has participated in the stages of the process from stages 1-7. However, in May 2021, suddenly there was a letter from Inpex asking for the process to be completed. hold or postponed because there are directions from SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,” said Musalam during the “Masela Block in Maluku Community Economic Development” Webinar held by the Energy Space and Maluku Energi Abadi (MEA), Wednesday (8/12).
Within a week, he explained, the letter was immediately replied to Inpex. In fact, MEA sent a letter to SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to ask why the Masela Block project should be held. What is the problem, but until now there is no clear answer.
“Our letter has not been answered until now, both by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, SKK Migas and also Inpex. My question is why they did not reply to our letter,” explained Musalam again.
Last September, the Governor of Maluku also sent a letter to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources which was copied to the President of the Republic of Indonesia and all relevant ministries but has not received a reply so far.
“So, on behalf of the people of Maluku, we are very disappointed with the current conditions, but whatever we are, we are waiting for the final decision. What is important is that everything is in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations,” he said.
Previously, the Directorate General of Oil and Gas stated that Article 17 of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 37/2016 prioritizes 10% PI for BUMD. And at that time, his party thought that the BUMD in question was a Provincial BUMD.
“So if there is a Regency-owned BUMD and so on, it should have been submitted from the initial stage. Don’t be in the sixth stage, something like this will appear for reasons that are not in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations,” he said.
“Nevertheless, we are still waiting according to the applicable regulations, even if there are changes to the MEA regulations, we will still wait. If there are indeed changes in regulations, the Maluku people will obey the rules,” added Musalam.
He also hopes that the 10% PI in the three working areas in Maluku can be obtained soon. According to him, two working areas, namely the Bula and Non Bula oil and gas fields, have already processed it and hopefully it can be realized next year. Likewise with the Masela block.
It is clear
The Head of the SKK Migas Formality Division, Syaifuddin, answered that the 10% PI share had been realized, namely to the Maluku Provincial Government. Furthermore, the provincial government must form a BUMD so that it can participate in running the business and become part of the Oil and Gas Block with 10% PI shares according to the provisions of the Act.
According to Syaifudin, so far Inpex as the operator of the Masela Block has also carried out corporate social responsibility (CSR) duties to the surrounding community.
“They can broadly be grouped in the form of educational aids and skills training for local residents, health, environment and community empowerment,” said the SKK Migas official.
From the initial plan, Inpex will invest up to USD20 billion to operate the Masela Block. The investment is divided into four stages, starting from pre-reconstruction, construction, production to post-production of the oil and gas block.
“The special government of SKK Migas will obey the principles and be ready to carry out the policies of the central government through the law and its derivative products related to the operation of the Masela Block,” explained Syaifudin.
Meanwhile, Barkun Kharisma Suko from the Sub-Coordinator for the Assessment of Oil and Gas Field Development Plans at the Directorate General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said that regarding the 10% PI, the rules are clear for producing regions. The government is committed to implementing the policy, and so far the process has been running in the Masela Block.
However, said Barkun, there is a limit to the 10% PI. For oil and gas blocks in waters such as the Masela Block, if they are in the range of 1-4 miles from the coastline, then that is part of the producing Regency/City. However, if it is 4-12 miles from the coastline, then the 10% PI becomes part of the oil and gas-producing provincial government.
“Regarding the cross-dispute of the 10% PI Masela Block, it is part of the Regency Government or Maluku Provincial Government and or other regions that will receive it, under the authority of the Central Government cq. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will decide. Unfortunately, until now we have not received the decision,” said Barkun again. .
However, both Syaifudin and Barkun agreed, the Government would definitely take a decision that was fair and best for all.
“Essentially, the Masela Block is a national strategic project and needs to be supported by all parties. When the Malela Block is operational and produces gas, then all will receive the benefits for the local government through the regional budget and the central government through the state budget,” said Syaifudin. (RO/E-1)
Source : https://mediaindonesia.com/ekonomi/452442/macet-bumd-maluku-tunggu-kelanjutan-pengalihan-participating-interest-10-blok-masela
