Indonesian Oil and Gas Firm Chairman to be Replaced

The Indonesian government plans to replace the chairman of upstream oil and gas regulator BP Migas, Kardaya Warnika, local press said Thursday.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has confirmed that Kardaya would be replaced before his tenure ended in 2010, saying three candidates would be proposed to the House of Representatives.

The House apparently was ready to test the candidates as soon as next month, reported English newspaper The Jakarta Post.

Purnomo refused to say the replacement was in response to complaints from lawmakers, saying it was just time to "refresh" the agency.