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)