Darwin may be replaced as part of SBY?s Cabinet reshuffle

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh could be one of several ministers to be replaced as part of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono?s plan to reshuffle the Cabinet members next month.

Sources said that the SBY would replace several ministers to improve the performance of the Cabinet during the first anniversary of the Cabinet in October. No confirmation or denial have, however, been made.

Energy analyst Kurtubi said that Darwin who has also been reported to have an affair with his secretary had a poor report during his several months in the Cabinet. Kurtubi said that Zahedy did have any concrete program to cope with major problems in the energy ministry such as the decline in oil production, the lack of clear program to reduce subsidized fuels as well as issues related to series of fires caused by explosions 3-kg LPG canisters.

When asked to comment about the rumor about his replacement, Zahedy said it would be up to the President to decide. But he acknowledged that his poor report was caused by the involvement of Director General of Electricity J. Purwono in a corruption case. (*)