Ruling party prepares list of candidates for next cabinet<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar has prepared a list of names which it
\nconsiders suitable candidates for cabinet positions, but said it
\nwould not present it unless asked for suggestions by the next
\npresident.<\/p>\n
\"We won't initiate a move to propose our people for the
\ncabinet. But we'll be ready with a list of our most suitable
\ncadres should the elected president asks for names,\" Golkar
\nsecretary-general Ary Mardjono told reporters.<\/p>\n
But he stressed the list would only contain names and not be
\naccompanied by the posts each individual should be assigned to.<\/p>\n
\"No, we won't present to the elected president a complete list
\nof prospective candidates complete with their cabinet post,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
So far President Soeharto has not asked Golkar for a list of
\npossible candidates for the next cabinet.<\/p>\n
\"The new president is not elected yet. How can we talk about
\nnames for the cabinet?\" Ary said.<\/p>\n
\"Perhaps, after the Assembly's General Session is over,\" he
\nreplied when asked when these names might be required.<\/p>\n
Golkar is not the first faction to produce a list of
\nprospective candidates for the cabinet.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) faction declared last month
\nthat it had drawn up a list of people who deserved ministerial
\nposts.<\/p>\n
But both Golkar and PPP maintain their intention is not to try
\nand get their respective supporters into the cabinet.<\/p>\n
PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said the party was merely
\ntrying to give the next president ideas, rather than put pressure
\non him.<\/p>\n
\"We won't feel disappointed if our contribution is rejected,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Ary said Golkar was not looking to gain a certain percentage
\nof seats in the cabinet lineup.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar understands that the composition of the next cabinet
\nis the prerogative of the elected president,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He refused to reveal the names on the Golkar list but said,
\nwithout elaborating, that all met the necessary criteria to be a
\ncabinet member.<\/p>\n
\"We have chosen our best cadres for the ministerial posts,\" he
\nassured, adding that only Golkar members were on the list.<\/p>\n
Ary said the list was prepared in a descending order according
\nto priority but he balked when pressed further to reveal even the
\ntop name on the list.<\/p>\n
\"I know but I won't tell you, who he or she is,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked for the total number of cadres Golkar would propose to
\nthe elected president, Ary said the organization had no authority
\nto divulge such information to the press.<\/p>\n
Observers have predicted there will be a massive restructuring
\nof the cabinet, especially in light of the current monetary
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
Reliable sources have said the next cabinet will consist of 25
\nministers and ministerial-ranked officials. The outgoing cabinet
\nconsists of 41 ministers and officials.<\/p>\n
Support is continuing to grow for the next president to
\ninclude a Chinese-Indonesian in his cabinet as recognition that
\nthe ethnic group is a valued part of the nation.<\/p>\n
The dominant Golkar is reportedly considering proposing three
\nbusiness tycoons to the new president. They are Anthony Salim of
\nthe Salim Group of companies, James T. Riyadi of the Lippo Group
\nand Enggartiasto Lukito, a property businessman.<\/p>\n
Ary dismissed speculation that the next cabinet would be
\ndominated by members of the Association of Indonesian Moslem
\nIntellectuals (ICMI).<\/p>\n
\"I don't think that ICMI members will play a dominant role as
\nthe president will be the sole decisionmaker in the cabinet
\nlineup,\" he said. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ruling-party-prepares-list-of-candidates-for-next-cabinet-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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