PLN?s commissioners replaced

Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi has replaced two of the six commissioners of state power company PLN, Suara Pembaruan daily reported Wednesday.

Yoga Pratomo, currently director general of electricity, was replaced by Isnuwardinato who is Laksamana?s senior staff.

Meanwhile, M Ikhsan, an economist from Jakarta?s University of Indonesia, was replaced by Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro who also teaches at the university.

The paper could not find clear reason behind their replacement.

It said however that Ikhsan?s replacement might be due to his political leanings contradicting the policies of Laksamana?s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. President Megawati Soekarnoputri chairs the party.

Ikhsan said he had been appointed PLN commissioner in January 2002, for a three-year term.

The paper said further that the replacement of Yoga might be meant to prevent him from using his power as director general to dictate the direction of PLN?s operation.

Following the replacement, PLN?s board of commissioner are: Andung Nitimihardja (president commissioner); Isnuwardianto and Komara Djaja (commissioners); Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro and Lutfi Hamid (independent commissioners). (*)