Speaking Out of Turn

You all are unfair and partisan," wrote Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Resources Rizal Ramli in a WhatsApp message to Tempo Thursday two weeks ago. He sent the message from Belgium, where he was attending a high-level roundtable on global infrastructure investment strategy. In the meeting, Rizal was also exploring possibilities for cooperation with the Belgian government on developing infrastructure for the national shipping industry.

Tempo contacted Rizal requesting clarification of his statement that President Joko Widodo had agreed to build an inland liquefied gas refinery for the offshore Masela Block. His statement was announced in an official press release two weeks ago; this despite the fact that the President remains undecided on how to proceed with the facility, based in the Arafura Sea, Maluku.

March 8, 2016