Martiono tipped to become new Pertamina boss

Pertamina?s president commissioner Martiono Hadianto is widely tipped by industry and government sources to replace incumbent Widya Purmana as president of the troubled state oil and gas company PT. Pertamina Tbk. Martiono had also served as Pertamina president director during Soeharto era.

Pertamina is holding general shareholder?s meeting on Thursday, but sources said that the government would not immediately replace board of directors as the screening team had yet completed their assessments on the candidates.

?The shake up would likely be announced next week,? said one source, but another source said there is possibility that the replacement could still take place today.

Sources said Martiono is picked to secure Pertamina?s dealing with US oil giant ExxonMobil over Cepu oil block. The source went on to say that Widya Purnama, backed by some parliamentary members refused to accept negotiation results with ExxonMobil.

The source said Kun Kurnaely, currently deputy director E&P is hot candidate for E&P director to replace incumbent Harry Koestoro. Maskurun, a Pertamina retiree is tipped to become processing director to replace Soeroso. Burhanuddin Hasan, a Pertamina LNG marketing veteran is tipped to become marketing director. Sutadi a former high ranking Pertamina financial official is tipped to become director of finance, while Eteng Salam, former Pertamina director will become human resources director. Muchsin Bahar, former marketing and processing director is tipped to become vice-president director to replace Mustiko Saleh.

However, the source said that Soeroso and Arie Soemarno had also a good chance to retain their jobs. (godang/alex)