No hints still on the Cabinet lineup<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Speculations were abound on Sunday of tough
\nnegotiations facing President Megawati Soekarnoputri who must
\nform a Cabinet that will have to accommodate the interests of her
\npolitical allies.<\/p>\n
Megawati called a series of meetings on Sunday with key
\nofficials of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan), to discuss the Cabinet lineup.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan executives said Megawati also arranged talks
\nwith Golkar Party chief Akbar Tandjung and National Mandate Party
\nchairman Amien Rais, the House of Representatives (DPR) speaker
\nand People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker respectively.
\nThe meeting failed to materialize, however.<\/p>\n
Chairman of Golkar faction at the DPR Syamsul Muarif confirmed
\non Sunday that Akbar had planned to meet Megawati to discuss the
\nCabinet lineup.<\/p>\n
"The names of the party' members to be proposed for
\nministerial posts are already in Akbar's hands," Syamsul told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
While no official statement was given on the failed key
\nmeeting, a source close to Amien said that Megawati would consult
\nhim on the Cabinet lineup on another day.<\/p>\n
Megawati is due to announce the new Cabinet line up within
\nthis week and so far there have been no signals about the Cabinet
\nmakeup.<\/p>\n
The President is also scheduled to meet her deputy Hamzah Haz,
\nwho also chairs the United Development Party (PPP), to finalize
\nthe discussion of the Cabinet lineup on Monday.<\/p>\n
Several media have reported that officials of the seven major
\nfactions at the House that helped Megawati rise to the top had
\nsubmitted a proposal for the new Cabinet.<\/p>\n
The seven factions were Golkar, PDI Perjuangan, PPP, the
\nCrescent Star Party (PBB), the Reform faction, the United
\nPeople's Sovereignty (PDU), and the Indonesian Nationhood (KKI).<\/p>\n
Reports said the Cabinet is expected to have 36 ministers,
\nwith 22 appointed from major political parties and the rest
\nselected from among professionals.<\/p>\n
Some ministries which once were dissolved by former president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, particularly the information and social
\naffairs ministries, will be reestablished, according to the
\nreports.<\/p>\n
A PDI Perjuangan official said that Megawati had yet to
\napprove the proposal and had not made any commitment to other
\npolitical parties on the Cabinet lineup, saying it was the
\nPresident's prerogative to decide.<\/p>\n
"Of course we will accommodate all parties but maybe we will
\nnot approve the names nominated by the seven factions straight
\naway," the official, who declined to be named, said.<\/p>\n
PPP secretary-general Alimarwan Hanan contended that the names
\nand the makeup of the new Cabinet were simply a suggestion and
\nthe seven factions did not have any intention of forcing Megawati
\nto approve it.<\/p>\n
"It is merely a proposal which Ibu Megawati is free to
\nconsider. We are just waiting for her response now," Alimarwan
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Stance<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, former presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar said
\non Sunday that it would be better if all ministers that were on
\nAbdurrahman's last Cabinet did not join the new Cabinet under
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
"It is not a matter of supporting or not supporting the new
\nCabinet, but it is important for people to declare their stance
\nbefore they join the Cabinet. So it is clear whose side they are
\non," Wimar said.<\/p>\n
He underlined that ministers should work with full loyalty to
\nthe President and should some of the former ministers of
\nAbdurrahman join the new Cabinet, they should pledge their
\nallegiance to the new President.<\/p>\n
Political observer Bara Hasibuan said that it would be better
\nthat some political parties, especially Golkar, stay out of the
\ngovernment and play the role of an opposition party to strengthen
\nthe system of checks and balances.<\/p>\n
He underlined that it would be worthless to have all parties
\naccommodated in the Cabinet but other members of the same party
\nwho are part of the House continue to criticize the government.<\/p>\n
"It would be better to have a clear separation between the
\ngoverning party and opposition party. However, currently it seems
\nthat all parties simply want to grab the opportunity to have a
\nseat inside the Cabinet," Bara told the Post.<\/p>\n
He underlined that the main point of including all parties is
\nto ensure support for the government until the end of its term.
\nHe added that Megawati should learn from Abdurrahman, who tried
\nto satisfy the interests of all parties but failed to obtain
\ntheir support.<\/p>\n
He further suggested that it was about time for Golkar to lead
\nthe opposition, saying that such a move would restore its
\ntarnished image. (dja)<\/p>",
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