Jakarta – President Abdurrahman Wahid changed his economics team Tuesday in a bid to rebuild his support ahead of impeachment proceedings and to smooth relations with disgruntled foreign lenders. It was the second major change to his troubled Cabinet in 11 days.

In a prepared statement read by an aide on behalf of the nearly blind president, Wahid said Burhanuddin Abdullah, a deputy governor of the central bank and former Indonesian representative to the International Monetary Fund, had replaced Rizal Ramli as senior economics minister. Rizal, a longtime critic of the IMF, was demoted to finance minister and replaced incumbent Prijadi Praptosuhardjo, who was dropped from the Cabinet.

Wahid also appointed a new state apparatus minister, Anwar Suprijadi, who will be in charge of much of the government's administrative functions. Praptosuhardjo, a friend of Wahid's, was appointed only last August and has been accused of failing to implement basic economic policies. "Increasing the efficiency of the government is the main reason for the reshuffle," Wahid told a news conference.

Yahya Staquf, a Wahid spokesman, said the president hoped Burhanuddin would improve ties with the IMF, which is delaying the disbursement of $400 million in loans in a dispute over the pace of economic reform.

The Cabinet changes come as Wahid battles to maintain his hold on power ahead of a special session of Indonesia's national assembly that has summoned him to appear at an August 1 impeachment hearing. Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said changes would help ease tensions with his political opponents.

Opponents appeared unimpressed. "There is no need to reshuffle the Cabinet because it will not help," said Parliament's Speaker Akbar Tandjung, who added that impeachment proceedings will go ahead as planned.

On June 1, Wahid fired four ministers as well as the national police chief. The changes were designed to win back crucial support from Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Wahid's main rival. Her party is the largest in Parliament and has led the charge for his ouster.