Mufti Anam Urges Total Audit and Overhaul of the Directors of PLN Impacts of Indonesia’s Latest Debt Sounds

VIRALTERKINI.ID, JAKARTA – Member of the Indonesian PDI Perjuangan Faction, Mufti Anam, urged a comprehensive audit of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) following the surge in debt which was considered worrying. Based on the data obtained, PLN’s debt is said to have increased to an average of Rp156 billion per day, the conditions that according to him reflect unhealthy financial management.

“This PLN is a state -owned company, a monopoly company that has full access to state facilities, but its finances are actually battered. This is wrongly management,” said Mufti Anam in a press statement in Jakarta, Monday (12/8/2025).

Mufti, who sits on the House of Representatives Commission VI – partners of the Ministry of SOEs and various state companies including PLN – considered that the debt rate could not be underestimated. According to him, PLN as a strategic BUMN should have strong, transparent and accountable governance, given its vital role in the provision of national electricity.

The demands of the directors of the Board of Directors

In addition to urged a comprehensive audit, Mufti also asked the reshuffle of the PLN board of directors. He considered the improvement of the financial structure was not enough, but must be accompanied by moral improvement and leadership integrity.

“It is time for PLN to be dismantled, not only about the financial structure, but also the morals and integrity of its leaders. We want the SOE to work with morals, not a trick,” he said.

Mufti emphasized that leadership in the PLN body must be filled by figures who have a clean track record, high professionalism, and full commitment to public services. According to him, public confidence will decrease if the management of state companies does not show transparency and integrity.

Highlights of financial performance

The surge in PLN’s debt became a serious concern of the DPR. The latest data shows that the company’s debt obligations have increased significantly in recent years. The causative factors include electricity infrastructure investment, primary energy purchases, and accumulated debt interest payments.

Although investment is needed to meet the national electrification target, Mufti assesses that the funding strategy taken by PLN is not optimal. He highlighted the potential for inefficiency that had an impact on swelling of operational costs.

“Investment must be made with a careful calculation, not just relying on debt. We need to ensure that every rupiah issued provides concrete benefits for the community and the sustainability of the company,” said Mufti.

Monopoly and state responsibilities

As a monopoly company in the electricity sector, PLN has a great responsibility for the provision of affordable and reliable electricity for all levels of society. Mufti assessed that this monopoly position must be balanced with high accountability.

“PLN is not an ordinary private company. This is a state company funded from public money, has special authority and facilities. Then the management must be much better, not even burden the country with large debt,” he said.

Parliament’s insistence on the Ministry of BUMN

Mufti asked the Ministry of BUMN as the majority of PLN shareholders to immediately take firm steps. He suggested that the Minister of BUMN ordered an investigation audit involving the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and independent parties to reveal PLN’s financial condition transparently.

“If a comprehensive audit has been carried out, we can know where the problem is. Is it in the wrong investment, operational waste, or precisely in the wrong management policy,” he said.

In addition to audits, the DPR also urged the improvement of governance and placement of directors based on meritocracy, not political closeness or certain interests. According to Mufti, the success of reform in PLN will be an important example for other SOEs.

Scan to the community

It is feared that PLN’s financial condition will have an impact on the quality of electricity services to the community. In the worst scenario, debt swelling can trigger an increase in electricity tariffs or delays in vital infrastructure projects.

Mufti reminded that PLN’s financial burden could eventually impact the people if it was not resolved immediately. “Do not let the people bear the consequences, both through more expensive tariffs and declining services,” he said.

Hope for BUMN reform

Mufti closed his statement by calling for a comprehensive reform in the body of PLN as part of an effort to strengthen the performance of BUMN. He considered the success of PLN to manage finances and improve services would have a positive impact on national economic stability.

“We want a healthy, professional, and serving the people. PLN must be an example of how state companies can manage public assets with integrity,” he concluded.

This Mufti statement is a strong signal that the DPR will tighten supervision of strategic BUMN performance, especially those who play a vital role in public services. With a comprehensive audit encouragement and management reshuffle, it is expected that PLN can get out of debt pressure and strengthen its role as the backbone of the national electricity supply. (ma)