Govt still discussing procurement of private electricity

Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said on Monday that the government was still discussing with state-owned electricity firm PT PLN over the procurement of private electricity supplies.

"What we are discussing now is that which one we will pay, and which one we will delay the payment. This is still being discussed," Alwi said after attending a meeting with a PLN rehabilitation team at the Bappenas building.

On hand at the meeting include Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie, Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo, State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Development Rozy Munir and PLN president Kuntoro Mangkusubroto.

Alwi said when he left the meeting, no decision had been taken. He requested journalists to ask Kwik if there was any decision.

Both Kwik and Susilo Bambang left the meeting through a secret door, leaving dozens of journalists waiting at the Bappenas office disappointed.

Finance Minister Bambang, who was caught by journalists, did not give much explanation and only said that there were many things about electricity discussed at the meeting.

"There were so many items discussed," he said. (*)