Push and Pull Over The PLN Boss

Officials of two state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were on their way to a meeting at the SOEs Ministry in Central Jakarta. It was two days before Lebaran, the climax of the Ramadan fasting month. The CEO of state railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia, Ignasius Jonan, arrived first, followed by his counterpart at the state electricity firm PLN, Nur Pamudji. On the 19th floor, SOEs Minister Dahlan Iskan was waiting for them in his office.

During the meeting, Dahlan outlined his plan to replace Nur. Jonan was to be his successor. "Yes, Pak," Nur responded, as quoted by an official who was involved in the meeting. Jonan's reaction was to shake his head in refusal. The rationale for his objection was that there would soon be a new government for whom the change might not be acceptable.

August 26, 2014