Minister criticized for not reforming the mines and energy ministry

The chairman of the Indonesian Mining Expert Association Herman Affif Kusumo criticized the Minister for Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for being too slow in reforming the ministry particularly in replacing allegedly corrupt officials.

Herman was quoted by Neraca daily as saying that the various massive problems in the mining sector including the PT Freeport Indonesia and the Indo Muro Kencana could not be solved immediately unless the government replace the corrupt officials.

Herman said that the corrupt officials must be replaced because their mentality was difficult to be changed.

Sources said that several senior officials had been involved in corruption including in backing up illegal mining activity in the country. (*)