Golkar set to decide stance on Cabinet<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Golkar, the country's largest political party, will begin a
\nnational leadership meeting here on Wednesday to assess its
\ncurrent position in the government, including its seats in the
\nCabinet.<\/p>\n
The two-day meeting, to be officially opened by Golkar leader
\nand Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Wednesday evening, comes ahead
\nof an expected Cabinet reshuffle by President Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono.<\/p>\n
\"The meeting will conclude with a political statement on the
\nparty's position in the government,\" Golkar deputy leader
\nBurhanuddin Napitupulu said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Muladi, who chairs Golkar's law, human rights and regional
\nautonomy department and is also the governor of the National
\nResilience Institute, hinted that the party wanted more seats in
\nthe Cabinet.<\/p>\n
\"We have discussed the problems with the Cabinet with the
\nPresident. We are not pushing for anything, but political
\nappreciation (for Golkar) is essential. It has to be
\nproportional, while still adhering to the principle of
\nprofessionalism,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Golkar currently has two members in the Cabinet -- chief
\neconomics minister Aburizal Bakrie and manpower minister Fahmi
\nIdris.<\/p>\n
Burhanuddin said it was not too much to expect Golkar to
\nreceive more seats in the Cabinet given its support for Susilo's
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
Susilo's Democratic Party, which currently has two seats in
\nthe 35-member Cabinet, is seeking two more seats. The Prosperous
\nJustice Party (PKS) has three seats in the current Cabinet and
\nwants at least one more.<\/p>\n
Burhanuddin denied the leadership meeting was being held to
\nprepare Golkar figures to assume seats in the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
\"We just happen to be holding this meeting at the same time
\nthe President is evaluating his ministers and planning a Cabinet
\nreshuffle.\"<\/p>\n
In addition to discussing internal party matters and Golkar's
\nperformance in local elections, he said, the meeting, which will
\nbe attended by 1,000 party members from more than 600 regional
\nbranches, would evaluate the party's political support for the
\ncurrent administration.<\/p>\n
Golkar is considering forming a permanent political coalition
\nto support the government, Burhanuddin said.<\/p>\n
Another Golkar senior executive, Yasril Ananta Baharuddin,
\nsaid the party had never formally discussed demanding more seats
\nin the Cabinet, out of respect for the President and his right to
\nname his own ministers. \"Anyone making political statements about
\nthe Cabinet reshuffle is speaking as an individual, not for the
\nparty.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo, seen by some critics as an indecisive leader, has
\ndelayed announcing a new Cabinet lineup despite promising to do
\nso soon.<\/p>\n
Some analysts have said Kalla is to blame for the delay. They
\nbelieve the Vice President is pressing the President to maintain
\nhis close ally Aburizal as the coordinating minister for the
\neconomy.<\/p>\n
Critics have called for Aburizal's replacement, blaming him
\nfor the country's economic problems and double-digit inflation.<\/p>\n
Muladi has advised Kalla not to become involved in the Cabinet
\nreshuffle. \"It is better for him (Kalla) not to meddle too much,
\nunless President Susilo asks for advice. Besides, the President
\nhimself seems to have recognized the shortcomings (of the
\nCabinet).\"<\/p>\n
Muladi wants to avoid the impression that Kalla is interfering
\nin the President's selection of his ministers.<\/p>\n
He referred to Oct. 20, 2004, when Susilo assumed the
\npresidency but did not announce his Cabinet lineup until after
\nmidnight. Several reports said Kalla held up the process by
\ndemanding several of his own choices be given portfolios.<\/p>\n
A Kalla rival in Golkar, Akbar Tandjung, a former speaker of
\nthe House of Representatives, said that while the Vice President
\nbenefited from his association with the Susilo administration,
\nthe party gained nothing.<\/p>\n
\"Akbar's criticism is constructive, but not fully correct.
\nKalla has promoted consolidation, democracy and transparency
\nwithin the party. There are no longer any internal cliques,\"
\nMuladi said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-set-to-decide-stance-on-cabinet-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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