JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesia’s Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir, officially appointed Major General (Mayjen) TNI Novi Helmy Prasetya as the new CEO of Perum Bulog, replacing Wahyu Suparyono.

This change was outlined in the Minister’s Decree No: SK-30/MBU/02/2025, marking the end of Suparyono’s brief tenure. Suparyono had only held the position since September 2024, succeeding Bayu Krisnamurthi, who had led Bulog for 10 months starting in December 2023.

Bulog short for Badan Urusan Logistik or Logistics Affairs Agency, is a state-owned enterprise in Indonesia responsible for managing the nation’s food logistics and supply chains, particularly for essential commodities such as rice.

Established in 1967, Bulog plays a crucial role in stabilizing food prices, ensuring food security, and distributing food assistance across the country. Its main functions include purchasing, stockpiling, and distributing strategic food reserves, as well as ensuring the availability of affordable food for the public, particularly during periods of price fluctuations or scarcity.

During his tenure, both Wahyu Suparyono and Bayu Krisnamurthi made significant contributions to the progress of Perum Bulog, as stated in the company’s official announcement. The leadership transition is seen as a strategic move for the continued improvement and growth of the organization, especially in managing Indonesia’s essential food logistics, particularly rice.

General Novi Helmy Prasetya, the newly appointed CEO, has a distinguished career in the Indonesian military. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) since February 2024. Born on November 10, 1971, in Bangkalan, East Java, Novi Helmy is a graduate of the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil) and a member of the elite Infantry unit, Kopassus.

Novi’s military career spans several decades, during which he has held various significant positions. Notably, he served as the Head of Operations for the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) in 2003 and became the Deputy Commander of Paspampres Group B in 2013. His leadership also extended to high-profile positions such as the Commander of Military Area Command 061/Surya Kencana in 2019-2020, and the Commander of Iskandar Muda Regional Military Command.

In addition to his extensive leadership roles within Indonesia’s military, Novi Helmy participated in several military operations, including missions in East Timor in 1996 and the Tribuana Operation in 1999. He also carried out international duties, including providing security for VVIP Indonesian officials during visits to countries such as Russia (2013), the UK (2004), and Germany (2015).

Novi’s wealth, as reported in the 2023 State Asset Report (LHKPN) by Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), stands at approximately IDR 6.84 billion. The majority of his wealth is tied up in real estate, with properties spread across multiple locations. These include land and buildings in his hometown of Bangkalan, Madura, as well as in Bogor, Depok, and Serang.

In addition to his real estate holdings, Novi owns a Toyota Innova Venturer 2.4 A/T, a Yamaha motorcycle, and other movable assets totaling IDR 325 million. His cash holdings amount to IDR 11.79 million, though he does not possess any securities or other forms of wealth. His financial profile reflects a modest accumulation of assets, with a focus on property and vehicles.

With this leadership change, Perum Bulog is poised to continue its critical role in stabilizing Indonesia’s food logistics and distribution. Novi’s military background and leadership skills are expected to bring a disciplined and strategic approach to managing the company’s operations, ensuring that Indonesia’s food security remains intact and responsive to the nation’s needs. The transition also aligns with the ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen state-owned enterprises in Indonesia.( Uki Ruknuddin)