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Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. (ANTARA/HO Kementerian Investasi/BKPM) - 

President Joko Widodo has appointed Bahlil Lahadalia, the current investment minister and head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), as the ad interim minister of energy and mineral resources (ESDM).

The appointment was based on a letter of the minister of state secretary, dated February 3, 2022, Tina Talisa, special staff to the Minister of Investment, noted in a statement here on Friday.

"President Joko Widodo has appointed Minister of Investment and Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia as the ad interim minister of energy and mineral resources," she stated.

Lahadalia chaired a meeting with all first echelon officials of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on Friday this morning.

Talisa, however, did not explain the reason behind the appointment of Lahadalia in the ministerial post. She noted that Lahadalia continued to hold the position of investment minister and head of BKPM.

"Mr Bahlil holds concurrent positions as minister of investment/head of BKPM and minister of energy and mineral resources ad interim or temporarily only for the next few days," she remarked.

In the meantime, a spokesman of the ESDM Ministry told the press that Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif was undergoing self-isolation.

"The minister is in good condition. Now, he is in self-isolation. God willing, he will return to work next week. Please pray for him," Head of the Communications, Public Information Service and Cooperation Bureau of the ESDM Ministry Agung Pribadi noted in a statement here on Friday. Pribadi did not elaborate on the reason behind Minister Tasrif undergoing self-isolation. However, he confirmed that Investment Minister Lahadalia was the ad interim minister of energy and mineral resources.

Indonesia is currently experiencing a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases//ANT