New govt told to set up New Order-free Cabinet<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Analysts called on the newly elected Abdurrahman
\nWahid-Megawati Soekarnoputri government on Thursday to establish
\na \"New Order free\" cabinet.<\/p>\n
\"I hope that there will be no element of the New Order (in the
\ncabinet),\" noted political analyst Soedjati Djiwandono told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Soedjati was referring to the much criticized government under
\nformer president Soeharto who resigned in May last year amid
\nsavage riots and mounting student protests.<\/p>\n
\"I hope that the next cabinet members will be younger and are
\nnot mere \"yes men\" people. They should be more independent and
\nable to do more than just wait for instructions,\" Soedjati said.<\/p>\n
He also said that Abdurrahman and Megawati would have to be
\nable \"to lead and to coordinate\" the cabinet members.<\/p>\n
The choice has heightened optimism that Abdurrahman and
\nMegawati would be able to lead the country out of the current
\npolitical uncertainty and economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
Senior political analyst Mochtar Pabottingi shared Soedjati's
\nview saying that the next cabinet must consist of proreform and
\ncompetent members.<\/p>\n
\"The members must also be free from any corrupt practices,\"
\nMochtar said.<\/p>\n
Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Akbar Tandjung
\nsaid on Thursday that Abdurrahman had been given a one-week
\ndeadline to set up the cabinet.<\/p>\n
Leader of Abdurrahman's National Awakening Party (PKB) Alwi
\nShihab, however, was quoted by Antara as saying on Thursday that
\nAbdurrahman would need up to two weeks to set up the new cabinet.<\/p>\n
Golkar deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman said that the next
\ncabinet should be \"a national-based cabinet\".<\/p>\n
\"It should be a national-based cabinet respecting the major
\nsociopolitical forces, but it should be combined with expertise,\"
\nMarzuki said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, political observer Arbi Sanit said the next cabinet
\nshould accommodate all elements in society.<\/p>\n
\"The next cabinet should accommodate political parties that
\nhave played a decisive role in the Assembly, including the axis
\nforce that nominated Abdurrahman in the presidential election,\"
\nhe said referring to a caucus of several Muslim-based parties in
\nthe Assembly.<\/p>\n
Arbi said the cabinet should be simplified to promote
\nefficiency amidst the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
\"The cabinet should consist of between 20 and 25 ministers.
\nState departments that are considered ineffective and inefficient
\nshould be disbanded while coordinating minister posts should be
\nphased out,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Habibie's Reform-Development took 38 people onboard comprising
\nof four coordinating ministers, 20 ministers heading departments,
\n12 state ministers, the Attorney General and the Governor of Bank
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Calls for a slimline cabinet also came from DPR deputy speaker
\nKhofifah Indar Parawansa of the PKB.<\/p>\n
Noted lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis stressed the need for the new
\nleadership to establish a cabinet comprised of \"professional\"
\npeople as the country was facing serious problems.<\/p>\n
\"The next cabinet should contain professionals and should not
\nrecruit those who had been involved in the New Order government,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Todung brushed aside suggestions that it was more important to
\nsatisfy the need for political seats in the cabinet, saying that
\nincluding qualified people should be the central consideration.<\/p>\n
\"It is not important for the cabinet to be filled by
\npoliticians from political parties,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, before being elected president, told journalists
\non Monday that some ministries including Religious Affairs,
\nForeign and Education affairs may be filled from the PKB.<\/p>\n
Analysts said some ministries may be filled from the axis
\nforce while a number of economic officials could come from
\nMegawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan).<\/p>\n
Analysts also said Abdurrahman was likely to pick some members
\nfrom the Golkar Party in return for the latter's support in the
\npresidential election. (05\/byg\/emf\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-govt-told-to-set-up-new-order-free-cabinet-1447893297",
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