Megawati 'fully involved' in new Cabinet planning<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono asserted on Tuesday the decisive role played by Vice
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri in the intensive lobbying and
\ndiscussions ahead of the announcement of the new Cabinet later
\nthis week.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after accompanying Megawati to the
\ninauguration of the newly-renovated geology museum, Susilo,
\ncoordinator of the team of three ministers tasked with drafting
\nthe makeup of the Cabinet, said the team had met several times in
\nthe last few days with both President Abdurrahman Wahid and the
\nVice President.<\/p>\n
In addition to Susilo, the team includes Minister of Regional
\nAutonomy Ryaas Rasyid and Minister of Settlement and Territorial
\nDevelopment Erna Witoelar.<\/p>\n
"We have met two times with the President and two times with
\nthe Vice President and five of us have also met together two
\ntimes," Susilo said.<\/p>\n
Megawati has been newly tasked to lead the Cabinet under a new
\ntask-sharing formula with the President, but many have said her
\ncompetence remains a question.<\/p>\n
Susilo added that with regard to the composition of the
\neconomic members in the new Cabinet, the team had sought advice
\nfrom several economists and businessmen.<\/p>\n
"We have to consider all aspects and we also have to
\nunderstand what will be the fundamental issues, agenda and
\npriorities over the next four years," Susilo said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman has stated that the number of ministers in the new
\nCabinet would be cut to around 25 members from the previous 35.<\/p>\n
Some senior officials hinted that the ministries under the new
\nCabinet would be reduced to between 15 and 17 ministries.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza
\nMahendra said that he was tipped off by Ryaas that in the
\nupcoming Cabinet his ministry would be merged with the State
\nMinistry for Human Rights Affairs under a new name -- Ministry of
\nJustice and Human Rights Affairs.<\/p>\n
"After the combination, the ministry will likely have a
\ndirectorate for human rights affairs and it will hand over the
\nadministration of the judicial system to the Supreme Court," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Asked whether he would be reappointed to the new Cabinet,
\nYusril said: "Only God knows".<\/p>\n
A source at Yusril's ministry told The Jakarta Post that he
\nwould be appointed state secretary in the new Cabinet.<\/p>\n
Officials at his ministry said Yusril was scheduled to meet
\nwith Megawati late Tuesday at her official residence on Jl.
\nDiponegoro, Central Jakarta, to finalize the draft decree on the
\nwork-sharing arrangement between the President and the Vice
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
"We are still awaiting confirmation from Megawati's office
\nthat the meeting is going to take place tonight," an official
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, as the President is also called, promised before the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly earlier this month that he would
\nhand over the technical day-to-day running of the government to
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
Yusril said that the decree would be issued together with the
\nannouncement of the new Cabinet lineup.<\/p>\n
The announcement initially was scheduled for Aug. 21, but the
\nPresident decided to delay as he needed more time to discuss the
\nlineup with Megawati and other political leaders. (25\/bby\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-fully-involved-in-new-cabinet-planning-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}