President already has name of Mulyani's successor: Anas


A senior Democratic Party politician expressed confidence Saturday that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono already held the name of the person he would appoint to replace outgoing Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

"I am certain the President already knows who will replace outgoing Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati," Anas Urbaningrum, chairman of the PD faction at the House of Representatives (DPR), said in Jakarta as quoted by Antara news agency.

Speaking at a discussion on Sri Mulyani's resignation from the Cabinet organized by a private radio station, Anas explained that it was the President's prerogative right to appoint a candidate to replace Sri Mulyani, although other parties could also propose a name.

Anas said the Democratic Party had suggested that the President pick Sri Mulyani's successor not from a political party but from professionals who had competence, honesty, and ability to maintain good political communication with parliament and political parties.

"If we are asked to name a candidate, we would say we do not have any particular name to propose because we leave it entirely to the President," Anas said.

He added that the resignation of Sri Mulyani from the Cabinet as finance minister would not have a significant impact on politics.