Controversial figure tipped to become director general

By Godang Sitompul

Said Didu, former Secretary of State Owned Enterprises Ministry and now an expert staff at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is placed on the top of the list of candidates to become director general of minerals and coal replacing R. Sukhyar, according to sources.

This has sparked protest in the mining industry.

As reported earlier on this portal, the ministry has finalized 15 names of candidates to fill in director general positions in the ministry. The list will be proposed to President Joko Widodo for final selection. There are several names proposed for each position on the list, but the president will reasonably pick up the names placed on the top of the list.

According to the sources told Petromindo.com, other names on the top of the list are Djoko Siswanto, now Gas Director at downstream regulator BPH Migas, proposed to be Director General of Oil and Gas replacing A. Edy Hermantoro, who was dismissed last year.

Also on the top of the list is Monti Griyana, now a deputy at the National Planning Board (Bappenas). He is proposed to be director general of electricity to replace Djarman Sudimo, the sources said.

Rida Mulyana has a strong chance to retain his current position as Director General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBT since he is also on the top of the list, the sources added.

Mining industry players have expressed dissatisfaction over the top position held by Said Didu on the list.

?Indonesia?s mining industry is now on the brink of destruction. Let?s start a movement called ?saveminerba?. He (Said Didu) is dangerous. He pretends to know everything. I?ve read his comments on smelters and mining on the media. Nothing was right,? Simon F. Sembiring, former director general of minerals and coal, said. ?Minerba? is an Indonesian acronym for ?minerals and coal?.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon