Jakarta – The Indonesian government plans to sell its controlling stake in 19 state firms this year as part of its continuing privatisation programme, an official said Thursday.

The government will also sell its minority holding in nine other firms, said Parikesit Suprapto, an assistant deputy for privatisation in the state enterprises ministry.

"The plan is to sell government shares in 28 companies this year but this is still subject to approval from parliament," he told AFP. He declined to say how much the government expects to raise or to name the companies.

The ministry's budget target is Rp 5 trillion (US$590 million) in privatisation proceeds this year to help reduce the state budget deficit.