{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1451604,
        "msgid": "shadow-cabinet-1447899208",
        "date": "2004-11-26 00:00:00",
        "title": "Shadow Cabinet?",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Shadow Cabinet? There seems to be no better example than the present administration under the newly elected president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono -- at least outwardly -- to jump into immediate action when a crisis arises, responding almost as though it were a public relations exercise. To make sure that trains were running well before the Idul Fitri holiday, President Susilo went personally to Gambir railway station, while his ministers visited supermarkets and inspected factories.",
        "content": "<p>Shadow Cabinet?<\/p>\n<p>There seems to be no better example than the present<br>\nadministration under the newly elected president Susilo Bambang<br>\nYudhoyono -- at least outwardly -- to jump into immediate action<br>\nwhen a crisis arises, responding almost as though it were a<br>\npublic relations exercise.<\/p>\n<p>To make sure that trains were running well before the Idul<br>\nFitri holiday, President Susilo went personally to Gambir railway<br>\nstation, while his ministers visited supermarkets and inspected<br>\nfactories.<\/p>\n<p>Meeting world leaders in Chile for the Asia-Pacific Economic<br>\nCooperation (APEC) summit should be more seen as the government's<br>\nconcern for the well-being of Indonesia's global role in<br>\ncontributing to world trade and easing unemployment pressure at<br>\nhome. The government appears to be standing by -- at all times --<br>\nat the service of the people.<\/p>\n<p>However, under a genuine democracy, the government, as the<br>\nexecutive branch of power, cannot play alone. It needs to be<br>\ncontrolled by the legislative branch, the media, and the public.<br>\nIt is unfortunate that the present House of Representatives is<br>\nstill shaky and within its ranks shady political deals are not<br>\nruled out, while, ideally, the country needs a frank, strong and<br>\nhonest opposition, and not weak legislators.<\/p>\n<p>Most members of the House are seen to represent their own<br>\ninterests, instead of working for the people's interests.<\/p>\n<p>For fear of the emergence of such a \"tame\" legislative body,<br>\nit is no wonder that some politicians are suggesting, if not<br>\nalready preparing, the formation of a shadow cabinet while they<br>\nshould also contemplate perhaps the formation of a \"shadow<br>\nlegislative body\", which would be more costly and burdensome to<br>\nimplement.<\/p>\n<p>According to leader of the Indonesian Unity Party (PSI),<br>\nRahardjo Tjakradiningrat, this is the best way to control the<br>\nexecutive power. The aim is not to bring down the government<br>\nunder Susilo, but rather to balance and correct its policies and<br>\nprograms.<\/p>\n<p>GANDHI SUKARDI, Jakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shadow-cabinet-1447899208",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}