Febriamy Hutapea, Muninggar Sri Saraswati & Camelia Pasandaran – Top leaders of the Democratic Party, obviously exasperated by the antics of members of the ruling coalition in the Century bailout inquiry, on Friday said they have recommended a cabinet reshuffle to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Secretary General Amir Syamsudin said he and two other top Democratic executives sat down with Yudhoyono on Thursday to talk about the performance of coalition partners during the inquiry by the House of Representatives' special committee.

"I suggested that SBY consider a reshuffle. It's not aimed at giving pressure, but let us just evaluate ourselves," Amir said during a meeting at the House.

Although the president was not bound to follow the suggestions, Amir said Yudhoyono was open to the idea. "I will consider that carefully," he quoted the president as saying.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha, however, said nothing was in the works. "There is no plan for a reshuffle," he said at the State Palace. "Up until now the president has not indicated that there would be a cabinet reshuffle."

Amir said the Democrats still hoped for better cooperation with other coalition parties. He said he and Democratic chairman Hadi Utomo met on Thursday night with leaders of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Golkar Party and United Development Party (PPP) – three coalition parties who have been taking a tougher stand on the inquiry committee than the Democrats want.

Members of all three parties have suggested that either Vice President Boediono or Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, or both, should face criminal charges over the bailout.

Democratic deputy chairman Ahmad Mubarok said the meeting was aimed at finding common ground on the fractious inquiry, which some analysts say has been principally a vehicle aimed at derailing government reform efforts led by Boediono and Sri Mulyani.

"We want to prevent a possible misunderstanding. Therefore we are trying to find a common understanding involving the special committee," Mubarok said.

Golkar leader Priyo Budi Santoso issued a veiled threat in response to talk of a reshuffle. "A reshuffle is the president's right. Golkar will abide," Priyo said. "But don't blame Golkar if we shift from our previous stance that Century has nothing to do with Yudhoyono."

Priyo said Golkar was not planning to try to impeach Yudhoyono, but added: "I hope that our stance will not change later."