Rumors of reshuffle at Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources spark again

Rumors on major reshuffle at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources top posts reemerged, while Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro had reportedly sent a letter to President Megawati Soekarnoputri to allow the reshuffle to occur, a government source said.

“Minister Purnomo is pushing this time to make the reshuffle happen,” said a top ranking government official that opted for anonymity. The source said Purnomo had been given green light by President Megawati to carry on with the reshuffle.

The source said Purnomo had been planning for the reshuffle since last year, but failed due to strong resistance from within the government.

The source said Secretary General Djoko Darmono would be replaced by Luluk Sumiarso, currently Director General of Electricity and Energy Development. Djoko will be transferred to internal audit post. Luluk’s position will be filled by Yogo Pratomo, currently minister’s expert staff.

Director General of Geology and Mineral Resources Wimpy S. Tjetjep will be replaced by Simon Sembiring, currently Head of Ministry’s Research & Development Agency. Wimpy will fill Simon’s current position.

Suryantoro, currently minister’s expert staff will be appointed to head the ministry’s education and training center to replace incumbent Surna T. Djajadiningrat who will retire.

Irwan Bahar, Nenny Sri Utami and Bambang Dwianto will be appointed Minister’s expert staffs.

The source said presidential decree for the reshuffle would be issued within the next two weeks. The source, however, warned that it is still possible that the reshuffle does not happen. “Like before, there is also a chance that the plan be cancelled due to involvement of certain faction within the government and political parties,’ said the source. (godang)