Cabinet reshuffle?<\/p>\n
Among the topics discussed by the media and the public in
\nrecent weeks has been the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle by
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri. The reason given by the
\nopposition forces for the need of a reshuffle is that no progress
\nin the economic field has been made during Megawati's coalition
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
But perhaps most surprising to most observers has been that
\nthe issue of a Cabinet reshuffle has surfaced before the present
\nadministration has even lasted for one year; it has actually been
\nonly nine months. Opposition economic analysts have criticized
\nthe government for a lack of coordination among its ministers in
\nimplementing its program of economic recovery. On the contrary,
\nthey ignore the fact that the rupiah has appreciated to Rp 9,000
\nper U.S. dollar.<\/p>\n
The odd thing is that State Minister of National Development
\nPlanning\/Bappenas Chairman Kwik Kian Gie has openly attacked the
\ngovernment economic team for dealing with the International
\nMonetary Fund to solve the national budgetary problem, and
\ninternal and international debt burdens.<\/p>\n
He spoke bluntly to the press about the government's bank
\nrestructuring policy and the privatization of several state-owned
\nenterprises, saying they would only cause financial losses to the
\nstate.<\/p>\n
This probably has led to rumors that a Cabinet reshuffle is in
\nthe offing. Another reason may be the position of the defense
\nminister, Matori Abdul Djalil, who lacks any political backing or
\nexperience in his field, and who has accomplished nothing worth
\nnoting in matters of military and defense strategy.<\/p>\n
But observers overlook the fact that a Cabinet reshuffle would
\nonly bring about a change in the composition of the
\nadministration, with virtually no change in its mentality, since
\nany administration would have to implement a similar recovery
\nprogram given the circumstances. Speaking of a Cabinet reshuffle
\nat present therefore seems absurd. The best thing is to wait
\nuntil the elections in 2004. Shock therapy at this point would
\nonly bring greater disaster.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cabinet-reshuffle-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }