5 ministers barred from campaigning<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Five members of the 37-strong Cabinet are
\nprohibited from campaigning during the June 7 general election,
\nMinister of Information Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, Minister of Justice
\nMuladi, Minister of Defense\/Armed Forces Commander (ABRI) Gen.
\nWiranto, Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib and Coordinating
\nMinister for Development Supervision and Administrative Reforms
\nHartarto are banned from participating in political campaigns.<\/p>\n
The announcement was made as Yunus conveyed results of a
\nthree-hour Cabinet meeting on people's welfare and poverty
\neradication at Bina Graha presidential office.<\/p>\n
He did not explain whether the decision was discussed during
\nthe meeting, however Hartarto was seen whispering to Habibie just
\nbefore the Cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n
Yunus said Hartato provided him with a copy of the decree
\nafter the meeting and asked him to announce the details.<\/p>\n
\"I did not even read the contents (of the letter) before
\nannouncing it to you.\"<\/p>\n
Yunus asserted he did not know why the order was issued by
\nHartato rather than President B.J. Habibie. He also claimed he
\ndid not know why the five Cabinet members were the only officials
\nbarred from campaigning.<\/p>\n
\"Frankly speaking, I forgot to ask about the reason.\"<\/p>\n
The 48 parties eligible to contest the election -- with the
\nexception of Golkar which is chaired by Minister\/State Secretary
\nAkbar Tandjung -- pressured Habibie to disallow Cabinet members
\nfrom campaigning. Party representatives claim a potential abuse
\nof power and ministerial conflict of interest.<\/p>\n
\"Ministers and high-ranking officials should not be allowed to
\nparticipate in campaign activities,\" State Minister of Food and
\nHorticulture A.M. Saefuddin, also deputy in the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), said before the meeting.<\/p>\n
No explanation was given why several other Cabinet ministers
\nwith ties to political parties were not also barred from
\ncampaigning.<\/p>\n
The ministers are State Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz,
\nalso United Development Party (PPP) chairman, Saefuddin, one of
\nHamzah's deputies and State Minister of Environment Panangian
\nSiregar, who represents the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).<\/p>\n
Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Adi Sasono, a
\nGolkar executive, said he will not campaign, citing a full
\nschedule.<\/p>\n
Cabinet members active in ABRI are not permitted by law to
\nparticipate in political campaigns. They are Minister of
\nTransmigration Lt. Gen. Hendropriyono and Yunus himself.<\/p>\n
\"Even if I were already retired, I would prefer not to
\ncampaign,\" Yunus said.<\/p>\n
Following the media briefing, Yunus caused some hilarity when
\nhe mistook the President's vehicle for his own.<\/p>\n
\"I thought the car was for me,\" he said, bursting into
\nlaughter. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/5-ministers-barred-from-campaigning-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}