Andung or Fahmi? Neither shows up

Antara, Sanur, Bali

Confusion over the Cabinet reshuffle has resulted in the absence of the minister of industry -- both outgoing Andung A. Nitimihardja and incoming Fahmi Idris -- at a ministry's forum in Sanur, Bali.

"The organizers had actually arranged accommodation for both Pak Andung and Pak Fahmi ... but the two were not certain they could attend the event," the ministry's secretary-general Agus Tjahajana said on Tuesday after opening the forum.

The four-day forum on "Developing Industrial Clusters", to take place between Dec. 5 and Dec. 8, was originally scheduled to be opened by Andung before President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced on Monday night in Yogyakarta a reshuffle of his economics team.

"But Pak Andung asked me what his role would be in coming to Bali as he is no longer the industry minister," Agus quoted Andung.

Andung was replaced by Fahmi, previously minister of manpower in Susilo's Cabinet, and the President "was still looking for a position for him".

Agus said he received a similar response from Fahmi.

"I haven't been sworn in as industry minister," he quoted Fahmi.

Agus opened the forum in the absence of the two officials.