JAKARTA. The incoming administration of president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla is set to establish a task force to crackdown on “mafias” in the country’s energy sector, which are believed to have cost the state trillions of rupiah in inefficiencies, an aide has said.

Hasto Kristiyanto, one of the deputies of Jokowi-Kalla’s transition team, said on Tuesday that the decision to form the task force was based on the team’s finding that “energy mafias” were hindering efforts to attain national energy sovereignty.

“The next government is highly committed to eradicating oil and gas mafias. The task force is expected to effectively help enforce the law, without exception. Every violation will be dealt with legally and publicized to create a deterrent effect,” he said in a statement.

Hasto did not elaborate on what powers the task force would have or if it would resemble the so-called “anti-mafia task force” established by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono from 2009 to 2012.

During the presidential campaign, Jokowi and Kalla repeatedly voiced pledges to crackdown on illegal activities in the country’s energy, defense, agriculture and trade sectors. (Bagus BT Saragih)

Editor: Yudho Winarto