Reshuffle imminent at the ministry of energy and mineral resources

Reshuffle of top ranking officials at the ministry of energy and mineral resources is imminent and is likely to change place early next year, according to government sources.

Sources said ministry?s incumbent secretary general Djoko Darmono would be replaced by Luluk Sumiarso, currently Director General of Electricity and Energy Development. Djoko will be taking the ministry?s inspector general?s position to replace incumbent Endro Utomo, who will be entering retirement age.

Yogo Pratomo, currently minister?s expert staff will take Luluk?s position as director general of electricity and energy utility.

The reshuffle also includes Director General of Geology and Mineral Resources, Wimpy S. Tjetjep, who is likely to assume minister?s expert staff. His position is likely being transferred to R. Sukhyar, secretary of directorate general of geology and mineral resources.

The sources said one big question left is the candidate to fill the position of Director General of Oil and Gas, which has been vacant for months after Rachmat Soedibjo was elected BP Migas Chairman.

The sources said there are at least two candidates to fill the position; Iin Arifin Takhyan, currently Pertamina's upstream director and Maizar Rahman, secretary to Pertamina's board of commissioners.

"Minister Purnomo strongly favors Iin, but Iin's bureaucratic qualifications was considered inadequate by the ministry of state apparatus, which has final say in high ranking officials' appointment," said another source.

The sources said reshuffle was needed to give the ministry new energy to carry out its huge tasks. (godang)