Indonesia?s president was set to unveil changes to his embattled team of economic ministers yesterday night in a move that could see one of the country?s top technocrats return to government. Vice President Jusuf Kalla said the announcement would be yesterday night, although he gave no specific details.

?Just listen later tonight,? Kalla said when asked by reporters for details of the changes in comments carried on El Shinta news radio. But coordinating welfare minister Alwi Shihab hinted he would be replaced, as speculation grew the chief economics minister might move to that post to allow former finance minister Boediono to return to the cabinet. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday he wanted the widely respected Boediono back in the cabinet.

Local media have speculated Boediono would take Aburizal Bakrie?s job as chief economics minister, with Bakrie possibly replacing Shihab. Speaking at a news conference, Shihab indicated his own days were likely numbered. ?You will later see me with the president in a position outside the cabinet,? Shihab said, referring to speculation he would get an ambassadorship. As part of the reshuffle, one senior government official and analysts have said they expect Planning Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to replace Jusuf Anwar as finance minister.

Yudhoyono?s economic team has come in for much criticism in recent months in the wake of a near meltdown in the rupiah currency in August as well as complaints from businessmen that there has not been enough improvement to the investment climate. The US-educated Boediono, 62, was finance minister under the previous administration from 2001-2004. He was widely credited with stabilising Indonesia?s fiscal accounts and returning the country to macroeconomic stability.

Shifting Bakrie would come as a surprise because of his close links to the powerful Kalla. Some analysts believe Kalla out-muscled Yudhoyono in choosing economic ministers last year, and had said major cabinet changes would reflect badly on him.