Jakarta, VIVA \u2013 The method used by Indonesia\u2019s second President,\nSoehlarto, to select individuals for strategic government positions was\nnot based solely on technical ability or educational background.<\/p>\n
During the commemoration of Soeharto\u2019s 105th birth anniversary,\nsenior journalist and author of \u2018Laku Spiritual Pak Harto, Indonesia dan\nKejawen\u2019, Bambang Wiwoho, revealed that Soeharto possessed a specific\nmethod for selecting prospective ministers and officials to assist in\nrunning the government.<\/p>\n
According to Wiwoho, while actively leading the nation, Soeharto\nmaintained a special list containing names of figures from various\nregions who were deemed to have potential for recruitment at any time.\n\u201cDuring his prime, Pak Harto always had a document similar to a shopping\nlist. It was a list of individuals from the central and regional levels\nwho could be recruited whenever necessary. At that time, he was still\nvery active in reading and getting to know many figures from the 70s and\n80s,\u201d Wiwoho stated in Jakarta on Monday, 8 June 2026.<\/p>\n
However, being included in such a list did not guarantee an immediate\nappointment. Bambang noted that every name under consideration would\nfirst undergo in-depth investigation by a team assigned by Soeharto.\nThis scrutiny even touched upon aspects rarely considered in standard\nofficial recruitment processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was more detailed, involving their personality, hobbies,\nsiblings, and close associates. It looked at the loyalty of their\ncompanions, their domestic life, and their social conduct,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Bambang, Soeharto believed that an individual\u2019s\ncharacter is reflected in their daily life, including how they interact\nwith and treat those around them. Consequently, aspects such as loyalty,\nsocial relationships, and family life were vital components of the\nassessment process.<\/p>\n
The senior journalist, who long covered presidential activities,\nnoted that for Soeharto, the ability to manage personal affairs was an\nindicator of whether someone was worthy of greater responsibility. \u201cThe\nsame applied to domestic life. How can someone be trusted to manage an\naspect of the state, if their household\u2014which is a smaller scope\u2014is in\ndisarray?\u201d said Wiwoho. This perspective, according to Bambang, was one\nof the approaches used by Soeharto to build his cabinet and appoint\nofficials during his administration.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soehartos-method-of-selecting-officials-revealed-during-105th-birth-anniversary-commemoration-1780934627", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }