Rumors of Purnomo's dismissal groundless: expert

Rumors of plans to dismiss Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Purnomo Yusgiantoro is groundless, according to mining analyst Herman Afif Kusumo.

Herman said that as long as the Cabinet was controlled by President Abdurrahman Wahid, Purnomo would not be replaced. "And, I don't see any other candidates more capable than Purnomo ? He is still the best," he told Petromindo.com.

Rumors has it that Purnomo would be dismissed, to be replaced by Pramono Anung, a top legislator of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, the party of Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri. Pramono is a member of the House of Representatives commission VIII on mining and energy.

There has been rumors that Abdurrahman may reshuffle again his cabinet amid political pressure from his opponents. (R. Amoros)