AS a businessman who has no links to political parties, the choice of Erick Thohir as minister for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) gave people hope. He should use his authority in the best possible way to reform SOEs in the wider interest, not simply use them as a political tool of the government or a way of repaying favors.

The first test for the founder of the Mahaka Group is choosing professional and competent people for directors and managing