BALINEWSID.COM, JAKARTA – Relawan Listrik Untuk Negeri (Re-LUN) has sharply criticized the reappointment of Darmawan Prasodjo as President Director of state-owned electricity company PLN, sarcastically suggesting that the government appoint him as the utility’s CEO for life.

Speaking in Jakarta on Thursday (July 2), Re-LUN National Coordinator Teuku Yudhistira said Darmawan has demonstrated extraordinary political resilience, remaining in office despite a series of public criticisms surrounding his leadership.

According to Yudhistira, issues ranging from the reported increase in Darmawan’s personal wealth, recurring power outages in several regions, rolling blackouts, and allegations of deteriorating meritocracy within PLN have failed to affect his position.

“He is clearly one of the most powerful officials in the country today. We don’t know where that strength comes from, but he appears to have significant influence within PLN, even over matters that should fall under the authority of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and Danantara,” Yudhistira said.

He made the remarks following PLN’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on June 18, 2026, where Darmawan was reappointed as President Director despite ongoing electricity disruptions, including rolling blackouts in parts of Java and Kalimantan.

Yudhistira also alleged that Darmawan has substantial influence over the company’s organizational structure. As an example, he pointed to the reinstatement of the Deputy President Director position, which is now held by Yusuf Didi Setiarto after previously being abolished when Darmawan became President Director.

“The organizational restructuring clearly shows his influence. The deputy president director position was removed when he became CEO, and now it has been reinstated after his close associate was appointed,” he claimed.

The Re-LUN coordinator further argued that Darmawan’s influence appears stronger than that of Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, citing the lack of visible progress in investigations into the reported coal supply crisis affecting PLN’s coal-fired power plants.

Yudhistira also criticized what he described as media narratives that, in his view, defended Darmawan while directing criticism toward the Energy Ministry.

As a satirical conclusion to his criticism, Yudhistira suggested that if the government considers Darmawan irreplaceable, it should simply formalize his position permanently.

“Rather than looking for someone else to lead PLN, just appoint Darmawan Prasodjo as PLN’s President Director for life. If necessary, pass a law to make it official. Hopefully, PLN will still exist and Indonesia’s electricity system will continue serving future generations,” he said.