PLN?s president director tenders resignation, minister rejects

By Godang Sitompul

Nur Pamudji, the President Director of state owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), has notified Minister of State Enterprises Dahlan Iskan that he would resign but the minister rejected the resignation.

Dahlan said Nur had sent a text message via phone three weeks ago that he would resign in protest over the criminal investigation by the Attorney General Office in the replacement of machines as part of the maintenance of the Belawan power plant in North Sumatra.

According to Dahlan, Nur was concerned that said the replacement of machine, which is part of the technical decision, has become a subject of criminal investigation.

?He feels his profession can now be easily criminalized. None can stand it. It is a mater of technical profession,? Dahlan said.

Dahlan said he had notified President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono about the case and the President asked him to solve the matter. Dahlan then called Nur and asked him to stay put.

?He is the most honest person at present (at PLN). None will be willing to replace him if they are going to face similar treatment? It is not easy to find clean people at present,? he said.

According to the local media, the Attorney General?s Office has named suspects five managers of PLN over the case, namely former General Manager for Northern Sumatra Region Albert Pangaribuan, Planning Manager Edward Silitonga, Head of Quality Control Committee Ferdinand Ritonga, Production Manager Fahmi Rizal Lubis, and Tender Committee Head Robert Manyuazar

Editing by Johannes Simbolon