Megawati to present draft 2000 budget<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The duet of Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri has shown that they are unconventional, and on Jan.
\n20 they will again break with tradition as it is the Vice
\nPresident who will present the draft 2000 budget to the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
It is customary for the president to appear and read his
\naddress on the draft budget. But due to the condition of
\nAbdurrahman's eyesight, it is Vice President Megawati who is
\nscheduled to do so.<\/p>\n
Palace officials said President Abdurrahman would only make
\nintroductory remarks and prepare to answer questions from House
\nmembers during the plenary sessions.<\/p>\n
\"The Vice President's speech will concentrate on finance and
\nmonetary affairs, while the President's off-the-cuff remarks will
\nfocus on political issues,\" said the official.<\/p>\n
In another departure of things past, the budget which usually
\ncovers the period from April to March the following year, will
\nthis year only cover state expenses and revenue for the nine
\nmonths from April to December.<\/p>\n
The government has taken the decision to move the beginning of
\nthe fiscal year, starting in 2001, to January.<\/p>\n
According to sources, the Coordinating Minister for the
\nEconomy, Finance and Industry, Kwik Kian Gie, is in charge of
\npreparing the initial draft speech. The final draft speech to be
\nread at the House will be the responsibility of Megawati.<\/p>\n
\"A plenary Cabinet meeting will then adopt the budget draft
\nspeech before it is read,\" the official said.<\/p>\n
On the same day the draft budget is presented, Kwik is
\nexpected to sign a new letter of intent with the International
\nMonetary Fund (IMF) as a package to the budget draft.<\/p>\n
In a separate development, the President and First Lady Sinta
\nNuriyah are continuing their treatment with a special medical
\nteam from China.<\/p>\n
The chief of the presidential medical team, Umar Wahid, is
\nassigned to coordinate the treatment.<\/p>\n
\"The President's health is excellent, including his diabetes
\nand high blood pressure problems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The First Lady also received encouraging news, and doctors
\nhave suggested that the possibility of her being able to fully
\nwalk again remained high. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-to-present-draft-2000-budget-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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