Rini Soemarno, as Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, changed some crucial personnels of the State-Owned PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). Three directors were replaced. This development interesting given that rumors of Rini’s dismissal have been making rounds in recent weeks. 

Minister Rini dismissed PLN directors Murtaqi Syamsudin, Nasri Sebayang, and Amin Subekti. PLN employee Riska Sitepu told us that she was surprised. “Pak Murtaqi has been around since the days of Pak Dahlan Iskan and Nur Pamudji. He’s experienced in PLN. A lot of the decisions in major projects depended on Pak Murtaqi. It’s a surprise that he’s replaced. The same with Pak Amin and Pak Nasri; they’re also very experienced, though not know for being as influential as Pak Murtaqi,” Riska said. 

PLN Spokesperson Bambang Dwiyanto gave the diplomatic reply; that the replacement of board members is the prerogative of the shareholders. “I believe that those appointed by the Minister are professionals who understand the business,” Bambang noted. Then again, the news still came as a surprise. 

Minister Rini made Nicke Widyawati director of Strategic Procurement I; Supangkat Iwan Santoso director of Strategic Procurement II; Sarwono Sudarto director of Finance; Muhamad Ali director of Human Capital Management; Amir Rosidin director of Central Java region ; Djoko Rahardjo Abu Manan director of East Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara region;  Machnizon director of Kalimantan region; and  Haryanto W.S. director of West Java region. Rini also made Syofvi Felienty Roekman director of Corporate Planning; Syamsul Huda director of Sulawesi region; Ahmad Rofiq director of Maluku and Papua region; and Wiluyo Kusdwiharto director of Sumatera region. 

Does this mean that Rini gets to keep her office? Recall that rumors had it she was to be replaced by Ignatius Jonan, the minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. Rini, rumor has it, would become the President’s Chief of Staff. Though that being said, we’ve also heard talks about Rini not willing to accept such a scenario. It’s interesting that yesterday (Monday July 24), the President openly rebuked Minister Jonan for supposedly issuing Minister Regulations that are believed to discourage investment. Does this mean that there won’t be another cabinet reshuffle in the near future?

By Ferdi Hasiman

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