Cabinet set to be named on Tuesday<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is expected to
\nannounce the lineup of his Cabinet on Tuesday, six days after his
\nelection to the nation's helm.<\/p>\n
Close aide Alwi Shihab, who is expected to be named foreign
\nminister, confirmed to reporters that the President, who is
\nbetter known as Gus Dur, would make his announcement at 2 p.m. or
\n4 p.m.<\/p>\n
Palace staff members said the announcement could be earlier in
\nthe day.<\/p>\n
\"Gus Dur said it will be called the National Unity Cabinet,\"
\nAlwi said after accompanying the President to a consultation
\nmeeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"It will comprise representatives of major political forces,
\nprofessionals, the Indonesian Military and minority groups.<\/p>\n
\"Gus Dur had a headache because each time he cut the size of
\nthe Cabinet, there were new proposals. I think the Cabinet will
\neventually consist of 25 ministers.\"<\/p>\n
Alwi neither denied nor confirmed that he would move to the
\nMinistry of Foreign Affairs, but he looked at ease in answering
\njournalists' questions on a number of foreign policy issues.<\/p>\n
When asked if the Cabinet lineup would include ministers from
\nprevious administrations, he said: \"One or two maybe.\"<\/p>\n
\"Some were not all that bad. They stuck by their principles,
\nrejected the practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism and,
\nas a result, they were alienated.<\/p>\n
\"Mar'ie Muhammad (a former finance minister), although he is
\nnot in the (new) Cabinet, is one example. He's 'Mr. Clean' whose
\nintegrity is beyond question. There is also Sarwono Kusumaatmadja
\n(the former environment minister),\" said Alwi, who is an
\nexecutive of the National Awakening Party (PKB).<\/p>\n
\"There is also Quraish Shihab. You certainly can't question
\nhis integrity,\" he said, laughing. Quraish, Alwi's elder brother,
\nserved as minister of religious affairs for three months in
\nSoeharto's short-lived final administration last year.<\/p>\n
Although journalists bandied about the names which have
\nappeared on purported Cabinet lists in circulation, Alwi was
\ncareful not to give too much away. He stressed the public must
\nwait for the final announcement by the President on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Commitment<\/p>\n
He guaranteed that no old faces would make up the new economic
\nteam. \"You'll like them. It will underline Gus Dur's strong
\ncommitment to reform.\"<\/p>\n
On rumors that a civilian would assume the minister of defense
\nand security portfolio, he said: \"It looks like someone has
\nleaked it.\"<\/p>\n
One list circulating on Monday stated that Juwono Sudarsono, a
\nrespected political scientist who served as minister of education
\nin B.J. Habibie's administration, would become defense minister.<\/p>\n
Alwi said it appeared that the President would keep a number
\nof coordinating ministers despite popular opinion that the posts
\nserved little purpose.<\/p>\n
He said the post of attorney general would go to \"someone who
\nis popular with journalists\".<\/p>\n
Besides Alwi there were several other names commonly found on
\nthe speculative Cabinet lists exchanged or sent by fax across
\nJakarta on Monday.<\/p>\n
Although constitutionally the President has full prerogative
\nin naming his ministers, it is clear that Abdurrahman is aiming
\nfor a reconciliation Cabinet which will involve all the major
\npolitical forces. It is also expected to include representatives
\nof minority groups, including non-Javanese and non-Muslims.<\/p>\n
From PKB, Alwi Shihab is expected to become foreign minister.
\nOther figures from Nahdlatul Ulama, PKB's sister organization,
\nrumored for Cabinet posts are Tolhah Hasan (religious affairs)
\nand A.S. Hikam (environment).<\/p>\n
From the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan), economist and popular columnist Kwik Kian Gie looked
\nalmost certain to take the post of coordinating minister of the
\neconomy, finance and industry. There was less certainty about
\nbanker Laksamana Sukardi, although one list said he would land
\nthe communication and transportation portfolio. Tjahjo Kumolo is
\nalso rumored to be a contender for sports and youth affairs
\nminister.<\/p>\n
Human rights campaigner and Golkar Party deputy chairman
\nMarzuki Darusman is believed to be a shoo-in to become attorney
\ngeneral.<\/p>\n
Hamzah Haz of the United Development Party is expected to be
\nnamed coordinating minister for people's welfare, Yusril Izha
\nMahendra of the Crescent Star Party the minister of justice and
\nNur Mahmudi of the Justice Party the agriculture minister.<\/p>\n
Among the military, Gen. Wiranto is tipped to be named
\ncoordinating minister for political affairs and security, while
\nLt. Gen. Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono the mines and energy minister.<\/p>\n
Apart from Juwono Sudarsono for the defense and security
\nportfolio, there is widespread speculation that Bambang Sudibyo
\nof Gadjah Mada University will become finance minister.<\/p>\n
Former Jakarta governor Soerjadi Sudirdja is expected to be
\nnamed to the powerful post of home affairs minister while Navy
\nAdmiral Widodo would likely become the first Military Chief who
\nis not from the Army. (emb\/prb\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cabinet-set-to-be-named-on-tuesday-1447893297",
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