Cabinet ministers bid farewell<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto hosted a farewell reception
\nfor the sixth development cabinet at the Merdeka Palace
\nyesterday, thanking them for their hard work over the last five
\nyears.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere was buoyant with many of the ministers, more
\naccustomed to wrestling with the nation's problems, smiled and
\nlaughed as they enjoyed lighter moments with their colleagues,
\nthe President and Vice President Try Sutrisno.<\/p>\n
Several ministers talked to the press about their thoughts and
\nexperiences as presidential aides and some even expressed hopes
\nfor the next cabinet.<\/p>\n
Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad: As Minister of Finance I
\nmust always look fresh. Can you imagine the impact on our rupiah
\nif I came out of the office one day looking run-down and
\nexhausted?<\/p>\n
State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja: After he
\nhad described the adversity and challenges of life in the
\ncabinet, a reporter pressed him reveal what the advantages of
\nbeing a minister are. After a slight pause, Sarwono cheekily
\njibed that \"as a minister it's easier for me to park my car in
\npublic places\".<\/p>\n
State Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi: \"Ha!
\nha! ha!\" was his only response when asked about his experience in
\nthe cabinet.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman: I
\nlearned much from the President. The most important thing I
\nlearned is how to be optimistic. Pak Harto taught me about the
\nimportance of optimism when facing difficult situations.<\/p>\n
Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication Joop Ave: Now
\nI feel relieved. This was a heavy task. It's not easy having to
\ncreate job opportunities.<\/p>\n
Every second, minute, hour and day, a minister should not
\nforget that every decision taken affects the people and the
\nnation a great deal.<\/p>\n
State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar
\nKartasasmita: This cabinet faced a much more complicated
\nsituation than previous cabinets. The foreign and domestic
\nsituation has changed and this in turn changes the cabinet's
\ntask. People have become more and more critical.<\/p>\n
A minister is the President's aide. He or she must sincerely
\nassist the President, and must not think about their own
\ninterests.<\/p>\n
Minister of Public Works Radinal Moochtar: The ministers all
\nworked well together and we had a good team, we supported each
\nother.<\/p>\n
We are now facing more complicated challenges due to rising
\nexpectations in the government.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas (He has been in the
\npost since 1988): I must prepare everything for my successor. I
\nthink it is an obligation for a cabinet member to leave a strong
\nfoundation for successors, especially regarding unresolved
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo(served two
\nterms as minister): We are demanded to work and think accurately
\nand not simplify the problems which we must resolve.<\/p>\n
Minister Security and Defense Edi Sudradjat: We had a lot of
\nexperiences and a lot of problems. The President's leadership was
\nextraordinary. His instructions to ministers were always clear.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Research and B.J. Habibie (Longest serving
\nminister, having been in the cabinet since 1978): We are always
\nfacing challenges. We must always remain alert, we must be
\nproactive and reactive especially in this era of globalization.
\n(prb)<\/p>",
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