Eko Sulistyo
The corporate landscape in Indonesia has been jolted by the recent announcement regarding the management restructuring of PT Krakatau Posco, a major joint venture in the national steel industry. Public attention has shifted intensely toward the appointment of Mufli Budi Ananda to the Board of Commissioners. Mufli, who is widely recognized by the Indonesian public as the long-time personal assistant to celebrity entrepreneur and political figure Raffi Ahmad, has seen his professional credentials and educational background come under heavy scrutiny. The appointment has sparked a heated debate across various social media platforms, raising fundamental questions about the criteria for high-level oversight roles in strategic industrial enterprises.
PT Krakatau Posco, a significant collaboration between the Indonesian state-owned enterprise PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk and the South Korean steel giant POSCO, operates one of the largest integrated steel mills in Southeast Asia. Given the technical complexity and the economic importance of the steel sector to Indonesia’s infrastructure development, the sudden inclusion of a figure primarily associated with the entertainment and celebrity management sphere has caught industry analysts and the general public by surprise.
Public Discourse and Social Media Reaction
The news gained significant traction following the circulation of the company’s updated organizational structure. On Sunday, June 28, 2026, social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with discussions regarding Mufli’s transition from celebrity aide to corporate commissioner. One specific post from an account identified as @GerraldKevin became a focal point for the discourse, expressing disbelief at the career trajectory of the personal assistant.
"Honestly, this is the most shocking part. Raffi Ahmad’s assistant becomes a Commissioner of Krakatau Posco. I don’t even know how to react, how is this possible, what kind of pathway is this?" the user wrote, reflecting a sentiment shared by thousands of others who questioned the transparency and meritocracy of the appointment process.
The viral nature of the news led to a deep dive by netizens into Mufli’s professional history. While Mufli has been a constant presence by Raffi Ahmad’s side, managing the logistics and daily operations of the "Sultan of Andara," his experience in heavy industry, metallurgy, or corporate governance remained largely undocumented in the public domain. This perceived lack of industry-specific expertise has become the primary driver of the public’s skepticism.
Educational Background and PDDIKTI Data Discrepancies
As the controversy intensified, the focus shifted toward Mufli Budi Ananda’s academic qualifications. In the Indonesian corporate environment, particularly for state-linked entities and large-scale joint ventures, a solid educational foundation is typically considered a prerequisite for a seat on the Board of Commissioners.
Publicly available records indicate that Mufli attended Politeknik Bunda Kandung, where he earned a Diploma in Electrical Engineering. Seeking to further his education, he enrolled in the Industrial Engineering undergraduate program at the National Institute of Science and Technology (ISTN) in 2014. However, data retrieved from the Higher Education Database (PDDIKTI) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology suggests a discrepancy in his completion of the degree.
According to the PDDIKTI records, Mufli’s status for the 2018/2019 academic year is listed as "Undetermined" or "Withdrawn" (Mengundurkan Diri). This suggests that he may not have completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree (S1). In the context of Indonesian corporate governance standards, holding a Bachelor’s degree is often a minimum benchmark for individuals appointed to oversee multi-billion dollar operations. The revelation that a Commissioner of a strategic steel plant may not have finished his undergraduate studies has added significant fuel to the ongoing public debate regarding the "professionalization" of board appointments.
The Strategic Importance of PT Krakatau Posco
To understand the weight of this appointment, one must consider the role of PT Krakatau Posco in the national economy. Established as a joint venture in 2010, the company represents a landmark partnership between Indonesia and South Korea. With an initial investment exceeding $3 billion, the integrated steel mill in Cilegon, Banten, was designed to reduce Indonesia’s reliance on steel imports and bolster the domestic manufacturing sector.
The Board of Commissioners in such a company carries the vital responsibility of supervising the Board of Directors, ensuring that the company adheres to good corporate governance (GCG) principles, and protecting the interests of the shareholders—which includes the Indonesian state via Krakatau Steel. Mufli Budi Ananda now sits on this board alongside high-ranking figures, including the President Commissioner, Brigadier General TNI Bambang Sudono Sastroprawiro. The board is tasked with overseeing a management team led by President Director Kim Young-Joong.
Industry experts point out that the steel industry is currently facing global challenges, including fluctuating raw material costs, the push for "green steel" production, and intense competition from regional exporters. Oversight of a company like Krakatau Posco requires a deep understanding of industrial policy, international trade, and technical operations—competencies that the public feels have not been clearly demonstrated in Mufli’s public profile.
The Raffi Ahmad Connection and the Rise of "Celebrity Entourages"
Mufli Budi Ananda’s career has been inextricably linked to Raffi Ahmad, one of Indonesia’s most influential figures. Raffi Ahmad’s business empire, RANS Entertainment, has expanded from content creation into sports, hospitality, and consumer goods. In recent years, Raffi has also moved closer to the political center, often appearing at state events and supporting various government initiatives.
The appointment of Mufli is seen by some analysts as part of a broader trend where individuals close to high-profile figures with political or social capital are granted positions in state-affiliated or strategic enterprises. While Mufli has recently become more active in political circles, his primary identity remains that of a trusted aide to the Ahmad family.
Critics argue that such appointments can undermine the morale of career professionals within the industry who have spent decades climbing the corporate ladder. "When a position as prestigious as a Commissioner is given to someone based on proximity to a celebrity rather than a proven track record in the sector, it sends a troubling message about meritocracy in our strategic industries," noted a corporate governance observer who requested anonymity.
Corporate Governance and Legal Framework
Under Indonesian Law No. 40 of 2007 concerning Limited Liability Companies, a Commissioner is required to be an individual capable of performing legal actions and who has not been declared bankrupt or convicted of crimes detrimental to state finances within five years prior to their appointment. While the law provides a broad framework, the specific "fit and proper" tests for companies involving state interests are usually more stringent.
For a joint venture like PT Krakatau Posco, the appointment process typically involves a nomination from the shareholders. It remains unclear whether Mufli was nominated through the PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk channel or through other administrative pathways. The lack of a formal press release explaining the strategic rationale for his appointment has contributed to the current atmosphere of speculation.
Proponents of the appointment, though fewer in the social media sphere, suggest that a Commissioner does not always need to be a technical expert. They argue that a "fresh perspective" or someone with strong networking and communication skills—traits Mufli likely developed while managing Raffi Ahmad’s affairs—could be an asset in navigating the complex social and political landscape in which the company operates. However, this argument has done little to satisfy those who point to the technical and financial stakes involved in steel manufacturing.
Chronology of the Controversy
The timeline of the controversy began in late June 2026, when the updated management list of PT Krakatau Posco was filed with the relevant regulatory authorities and subsequently leaked to the public.
- June 25, 2026: Internal documents regarding the new composition of the Board of Commissioners at PT Krakatau Posco begin to circulate among industry circles.
- June 27, 2026: Screenshots of the management page and Mufli Budi Ananda’s profile began appearing on X and Instagram, drawing immediate comparisons to his role as Raffi Ahmad’s assistant.
- June 28, 2026: Viral posts, including those from @GerraldKevin, propel the story into the national spotlight. Netizens begin investigating Mufli’s PDDIKTI data, discovering the "withdrawn" status from his engineering studies.
- June 28, 2026 (Evening): Public calls for clarification from PT Krakatau Steel, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), and the management of PT Krakatau Posco grow louder, though no official statement has been released as of this report.
Broader Implications for the Industry
The fallout from this appointment extends beyond the personal career of Mufli Budi Ananda. It touches upon the reputation of Indonesia’s investment climate. International partners, such as POSCO, place a high value on professional management and clear oversight. If appointments are perceived as being based on "connections" rather than "competence," it could potentially affect the confidence of foreign investors in the governance of Indonesian joint ventures.
Furthermore, the steel industry is a cornerstone of the "Downstreaming" (Hilirisasi) policy championed by the Indonesian government. The success of this policy relies on efficient, expertly-managed companies that can compete on a global scale. The Board of Commissioners plays a crucial role in ensuring that these companies remain focused on their long-term industrial goals rather than becoming entangled in social or political patronage.
As of Sunday, June 28, 2026, PT Krakatau Posco has not issued a formal clarification regarding the appointment or the public’s concerns about Mufli’s educational background. Raffi Ahmad’s representatives have also remained silent on the matter.
The situation remains a developing story. The public continues to demand transparency regarding the selection process, asking for a clear explanation of how Mufli Budi Ananda’s experience as a personal assistant qualifies him to oversee one of the nation’s most vital industrial assets. Whether the company will respond to the pressure or maintain its current board composition remains to be seen, but the incident has undeniably reignited a national conversation on the necessity of merit-based appointments in the corporate world.
