No plan to replace Matori: Ministry

JAKARTA: The government reiterated on Thursday that there were no immediate plans to replace defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil, who has been unable to discharge his duties since suffering a stroke in August.

Ministry of Defense secretary-general Vice Marshal Suprihadi said on Thursday that Matori's staff was able to carry out the daily duties of the minister.

"The coordinating minister of political and security affairs will handle the tasks if they involve political decisions," Suprihadi said, referring to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Matori, who is being treated in Singapore, is expected to return to Indonesia in early December as his health continues to improve.

The House of Representatives had earlier asked the government to consider replacing Matori, saying the ministry was too important to be left without a minister. -- JP