Jakarta. Newly appointed Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia claimed Monday that he was no longer a businessman in the mining industry, alluding that he would take a neutral stance with his policies. 

President Joko “Jokowi” WidodoBahlil as the new energy minister in a cabinet reshuffle. Bahlil was the investment minister, but was picked to replace Arifin Tasrif in the energy ministry. Jokowi also chose Rosan Roeslani to take over Bahlil’s old job at the Investment Ministry. Rosan used to lead President-Elect Prabowo Subianto's campaign team in the recent election.

“I have retired from being a businessman since I got appointed to be a member of the government [as a minister],” Bahlil told reporters in his new office, not long after being inaugurated as the energy minister. 

Bahlil is known to be a businessman in the mining industry. Despite his background, Bahlil promised that there would be no conflict of interest. 

“I have resigned from all of my companies. Again, I’m no longer a businessman. I am now a government official,” Bahlil said. 

The cabinet reshuffle took place just months before Jokowi’s retirement in October. As the new energy minister, Bahlil vowed to implement Jokowi and Prabowo’s domestic processing policy for Indonesian minerals and coal. Under this policy, Indonesia processes its minerals at home to capture more value out of its commodities. 

“I will continue to push for this domestic processing policy. And going forward, permits should be more transparent so there will no longer be debates,” Bahlil said. 

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