Jakarta. Luke Thomas Mahony has officially been appointed president director of Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia, the new state-owned company established to oversee Indonesia’s natural resource exports.

Rosan Roeslani, chief executive of Danantara Indonesia, said on Friday that Luke was selected after extensive consideration, particularly based on his experience in mining, commodity trading, and the mineral industry.

Rosan said Luke also has experience working in multinational companies, including serving previously as a director at Vale Indonesia.

According to Rosan, Luke was also considered well-suited for the role because he understands Indonesia’s business environment and culture and speaks Indonesian.

“He can speak Indonesian as well. His wife is Indonesian,” Rosan said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

However, Rosan stressed that the main consideration behind the appointment was not Luke’s personal connection to Indonesia, but rather his professional background in commodity trading and mineral industries.

“But the most important thing is his trading experience. He has led many mineral companies and also has strong networks,” Rosan said.

In addition to his international experience and business connections, Rosan said Luke had demonstrated strong performance during his time working within Danantara.

“And most importantly, we have seen that his work at Danantara has been very good,” he added.

Rosan declined to answer when asked whether Luke’s appointment was made following instructions or recommendations from President Prabowo Subianto.

Earlier this week, Prabowo announced that exports of strategic natural resources -- including coal, palm oil, and ferroalloys -- would eventually be conducted through a single centralized system aimed at preventing state revenue leakages caused by export misinvoicing practices.