JP\/5\/Riswandha
\nMegawati juggles need for professionals, appeasing opponents<\/p>\n
Lecturer in politics Riswandha Imawan of the Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity in Yogyakarta looks at the result of what he says is a
\ncareful balance in the new, "transitional" Cabinet composition.<\/p>\n
Question: How do you view the Cabinet lineup?<\/p>\n
Answer: It clearly shows President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
\ncareful effort to place figures that pose a low threat of
\nresistance from among the public.<\/p>\n
The structure is not that different from the Cabinets of
\nformer president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur); it's not slimmer.
\nMegawati seems to be avoiding confrontation. She wants to embrace
\nall political groupings. She also seems to realize that she
\ndoesn't have much time to realize her Cabinet's program.
\nTherefore, she seems to regard her Cabinet as a transitional one.<\/p>\n
That she picked figures of various backgrounds also shows that
\nshe's avoiding many people getting annoyed. The appointment of
\nFaisal Tamin (former chairman of the Association of Indonesian
\nCivil Servants KORPRI) as State Minister of Administrative
\nReform, Ali Marwan Hanan (of the United Development Party, PPP,
\nthe largest faction in Muslim-oriented axis force) in charge of
\ncooperatives, and Bachtiar Chamsah (of PPP) as Minister of Social
\nAffairs are examples.<\/p>\n
Yet, she did not assign them for key positions. She realizes
\nvery well that the ministers in charge of cooperatives or social
\naffairs won't directly affect the heart of her leadership as well
\nas the core of the political dynamics. Therefore, she picked only
\nprofessionals for key positions.<\/p>\n
Key positions are those directly related to the core tasks of
\nthe Cabinet, which include economic recovery, restoring security,
\nhandling the threat of disintegration and upholding supremacy of
\nthe law.<\/p>\n
The appointment of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyno as Coordinating
\nMinister for Politics, Social and Security Affairs is an example.
\nIndeed he's a (retired) military officer, yet he's an
\nintellectual in uniform. He knows very well the concepts of
\npolitics, social and security affairs. The appointment of
\nDorodjatun Kuntjoro-jakti as Coordinating Minister for the
\nEconomy is another example ...<\/p>\n
What about the appointment of Yusuf Kalla as the Coordinating
\nMinister for People's Welfare?<\/p>\n
I wonder why Megawati picked him, especially considering his
\nbackground as a businessman as well as former minister of
\nindustry and trade, whose orientation was profit. Now he must
\nswitch his orientation to a non-profit one.<\/p>\n
The assignment of Matori Abdul Djalil as defense minister also
\ncould be a problem in the future. Megawati's not just
\ndemonstrating her gratitude to Matori, but has also considered
\nwhat was repeatedly said by former defense minister Mahfud M.D.,
\nthat Gus Dur's has said the position should be for civilians.
\nThis way, Megawati wants to avoid the resistance that would ensue
\nif the position was given to a military officer.<\/p>\n
But by choosing Matori Megawati will need more time to
\nreconcile with Gus Dur's supporters -- Matori has also become a
\nproblem for them. Moreover, people can also see ... that the
\nappointment was based mostly on the close friendship (between
\nMegawati and Matori).<\/p>\n
Likewise the appointment of Said Agil Munawar as Minister of
\nReligious Affairs. He was the one who said we could have a woman
\nas president during the controversy regarding a woman president.
\nI fear she's just showing gratitude.<\/p>\n
Could such considerations for choosing ministers harm the
\nCabinet's performance?<\/p>\n
I prefer to say, "no". The position as, say, defense
\nminister, does not directly influence the heart of political
\ndynamics here. The key position is the military commander. So I
\ncan only conclude that the Cabinet formation was based firstly on
\nprofessionalism, second, balance of political power, third,
\nbalance of regional power and fourth, in return for services
\nrendered.<\/p>\n
And the impact on the Cabinet's overall performance?<\/p>\n
As long as professionals are in key positions, it will not
\nhave a bad impact. Budiono (Minister of Finance) and Rini M.
\nSuwandi (Minister of Industry and Trade) are both experts in
\nthose fields. Purnomo Yusgiantoro (Minister of Mining and Energy)
\nhas expertise in management and mining ... For education, we have
\nMalik Fajar in charge of education ... The outstanding
\ndevelopment of universities under Muhammadiyah (second largest
\nIslamic organization of which Malik is an executive) is proof of
\nhis great work. He has a clear vision on how education should be
\ndeveloped. His reputation as a rector, too (of one of the
\nMuhammadiyah universities ) is very good.<\/p>\n
What is annoying is the appointment of Bambang Kesowo as State
\nand Cabinet Secretary. I cannot understand why Megawati decided
\nso, especially given people's suspicion that Bambang still holds
\nthe New Order mentality. Combining the two positions could only
\nresult in power centralization, which could again make the
\npresidency a sacred institution.<\/p>\n
Also of annoyance is the appointment of (former legislator
\nfrom the military faction) Hari Sabarno as Minister of Home
\nAffairs and Regional Autonomy. He has no track record in the
\nfield. Megawati will need more time to learn about the
\nministry ...<\/p>\n
What about the new State Ministry of Communication and
\nInformation?<\/p>\n
It will certainly receive strong reactions, especially from
\nthe press. So an explanation is needed on what it deals with ...<\/p>\n
Yet, overall the new Cabinet lineup is market friendly,
\nespecially with Kwik Kian Gie (Minister of National
\nPlanning\/Chairman of National Planning Development Board) and
\nLaksamana Sukardi (State Minister for State Enterprises) in it.
\nThe world sees them as reliable sources for economic analysis on
\nIndonesia. But regarding Kwik, if everything is decentralized and
\nthe Development Board is not as it was before, Kwik's expertise
\nwill not be fully utilized there. (Sri Wahyuni)<\/p>",
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