"This became a discussion of the House`s Commission XI..."
Pontianak (ANTARA News) - Member of the House Commission XI Kamaruddin Sjam questioned President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s plan to change the finance minister amid depressed national economy and global crisis.

"This became a discussion of the House`s Commission XI on financial affairs before conducting a fit and proper test," said Kamaruddin Sjam in a workshop on Program Optimization of Education, Health and Corruption Prevention in Pontianak, on Thursday.

Sjam said that Indonesia is currently experiencing deficit for the first time in its trade balance since the last 30 years.

Besides, the Indonesian currency value now continued to decline due to the global economic crisis.

Then, the foreign exchange rate decreases, and inflation and interest rates also continue to rise, he added.

Sjam also said that there is no mistake made by the President in proposing a candidate name to be the elected governor of Bank Indonesia, the Indonesian central bank.

"According to the law, the president is allowed to submit at least three names of persons he tipped to be tested for the central bank governor post," he said.

However, there would be less option to select if the president only submits one name.

Earlier, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked current Finance Minister Agus Martowardoyo asSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono the sole candidate for Bank Indonesia governorship.

Agus is currently still serving as minister of finance and is named a sole candidate by the president to replace the current Governor of Bank Indonesia Darmin Nasution because his office term will expire in the near future.
(Uu.A050/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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