PLN CEO Replaced; Bahlil Calls It a ‘Routine Corporate Action’

KARAWANG — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia described the replacement of PT PLN (Persero)’s president director as a routine corporate action. He stressed that appointments and changes to the boards of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) fall within the companies’ authority and are made under the direction of President Prabowo Subianto.

“This is just a routine corporate action, a change of directors. The replacement of an SOE president director is the SOE’s right, and of course there is direction from the President,” said Bahlil, who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition, when speaking to reporters in Karawang, West Java, on Thursday (15 October 2026).

Bahlil’s remarks came a day after PLN’s top leadership changed. The company’s General Meeting of Shareholders appointed Suroso Iskandar as president director, replacing Darmawan Prasodjo, who had held the position for several years.

PLN Independent Commissioner Andi Arief confirmed the change to Republika.co.id in a text message on Wednesday (14 October 2026). “Yes, there has been a change of president director: Mr Darmawan has been replaced by Mr Suroso,” he said.

Andi said Suroso would continue to serve concurrently as director of project management and new and renewable energy until a replacement was appointed to that post. He also thanked Darmawan for his service leading the state-owned electricity company.

Andi said PLN had undertaken various transformations under Darmawan’s leadership. He hoped the new leadership would continue those changes and help the company meet its next targets.

“I am confident that Mr Suroso, the new president director, will continue the transformation,” Andi said. He cited Suroso’s leadership record in the energy sector as the basis for his confidence.

Bahlil was also asked whether the appointment was connected to a power outage, or blackout, in Batam. He did not confirm any link between the two events.

“No, it’s just routine. It’s normal,” he said, reiterating that changes to SOE directors were a routine corporate action.

Andi said the change in PLN’s leadership had followed the proper procedures. The shareholders’ meeting was attended by all PLN directors and commissioners, as well as Tedi Barata, deputy head of the SOE Supervisory Agency, and continued until 6.30pm.