SBY too slow on reshuffle: Analyst<\/p>\n
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is being criticized for moving
\ntoo slowly in deciding on a much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, which
\nthe public considers crucial to help cope with the country's
\neconomic difficulties.<\/p>\n
"The President is very slow in responding to public demand for
\na Cabinet reshuffle. The people, the market and foreign investors
\nare still waiting for a dramatic change in the way the duo
\n(Susilo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla) lead the nation and run
\nthe administration," Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the Indonesian
\nInstitute of Sciences (LIPI) told The Jakarta Post on Monday.<\/p>\n
The President should be seen as a tough decision maker and
\nshould not take into account too many considerations in making
\nchanges to the Cabinet, including replacing his beleaguered
\neconomics team.<\/p>\n
"So far, he has talked too much and held too many meetings,
\nbut no concrete measures have been taken to cope with the
\npolitical, security and economic problems," Ikrar said.<\/p>\n
He added that Susilo, the country's first directly elected
\npresident, should not bow to pressure from political parties in
\nselecting new Cabinet members, as picking qualified people rather
\nthan politicians for key Cabinet posts was important to help
\nresolve the country's lingering problems.<\/p>\n
"The President must be able to counter stronger pressure from
\npolitical parties supporting his government and appoint capable
\naides because a majority of the people affected by the fuel price
\nhike won't wait much longer. They want to see something new that
\ncould lighten their financial burden," he said.<\/p>\n
He stressed that Coordinating Minister for the Economy
\nAburizal Bakrie, Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu and Minister of
\nFinance Yusuf Anwar should be replaced as they were deemed
\nresponsible for the lingering economic hardships faced by the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi said the President
\nhad yet to complete his evaluation of Cabinet members, a
\nstatement which contradicted his recent remarks that evaluations
\nhad been completed and that the results would be announced soon
\nafter Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
He said there had been no discussion at the State Palace on
\nwhether the President would shake up his Cabinet or not.<\/p>\n
He also dismissed reports that the President had started
\ninterviewing candidates for a new Cabinet.<\/p>\n
Vice President Jusuf Kalla said in Makassar, South Sulawesi,
\nthat he was not certain about a Cabinet reshuffle.<\/p>\n
"The Cabinet will be reshuffled only if there are Cabinet
\nmembers who fail to perform as expected," he said.<\/p>\n
He also denied that the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) had
\nthreatened to withdraw its political support for the government,
\nsaying: "It (the threat) is a statement of Tifatul and not an
\naspiration of the PKS."<\/p>\n
Tifatul Sembiring is president of the PKS. PKS secretary-
\ngeneral Annis Matta said recently that the PKS had been pressured
\nby its supporters and regional chapters to withdraw its support
\nfor the government following the controversial decision to raise
\nfuel prices.<\/p>",
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