No plan to replace Matori: Ministry

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