Permana's job on the line

Permana's job on the line

JAKARTA (JP): Director General of Customs and Excise Permana
Agung confirmed on Wednesday the rumors that finance minister
Bambang Sudibyo was planning to replace him.

Permana said President Abdurrahman Wahid had discussed the
plans with Bambang.

"I have heard this from a source," he told reporters on the
sidelines of a hearing with the House of Representatives.

"I have no problem about it, because I still have a job as a
lecturer," he added.

He said there were two candidates for his replacement,
including A. Karim, the director for excise at the Directorate
General of Customs and Excise, and Eddy Abdurrahman, head of the
East Java excise and customs office.

Permana also acknowledged that there were some people at the
directorate who were "unhappy" with his policies, particularly on
the cigarette excise policy which was launched last year, and was
based on the tar content of the cigarette.

But Permana denied the rumors later in the evening after
meeting with the President.

Permana was appointed to his current position last year by
then president B.J. Habibie. (rei)