Pertamina's Hot Seat

The replacement of a Pertamina director is never free from gossip. The names of potential candidates for the company's CEO were the subject of intense discussion last week. Just less than a week since CEO Dwi Soetjipto was removed, a number of Pertamina candidates were discussed. "Many names (are being considered), but the decision is in the hands of the State-Owned Enterprises minister," said Pertamina Commissioner Suahasil Nazara at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy last week.

Suahasil was reluctant to mention the names. Pertamina's board of commissioners is still going over various criteria for consideration, he said. After the board's internal discussions are concluded, the names will be proposed to State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Minister Rini Soemarno. "We are given 30 days after the appointment of an acting (CEO)," said Suahasil, who also heads the Fiscal Policy Agency at the finance ministry.