The new Cabinet<\/p>\n
From Koran Tempo<\/p>\n
The Cabinet of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), as Indonesia's
\nsixth president, is expected to learn from the experiences of
\nprevious Cabinets, both at home and abroad, so that ministers are
\njudged only by their performance and achievements.<\/p>\n
During the New Order era, Soeharto appointed ministers who
\nwould unquestioningly follow his instructions. In the governments
\nof Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri, many
\nCabinet members failed to work in harmony with their presidents.<\/p>\n
This was partly because the post-Soeharto heads of state
\nlacked authority, the Cabinet ministers came from various
\npolitical parties, they were less capable because they were non-
\nprofessionals, they failed to grasp presidential missions and
\nplatforms, and they confused personal and public interests.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, corruption, collusion and nepotism were so deeply
\nrooted in all levels of the bureaucracy that even the most
\nidealistic ministers failed to achieve much under these stagnant
\nadministrations. A lot of SBY supporters, therefore, expect him
\nto form a Cabinet capable of breaking the deadlock.<\/p>\n
However, SBY will be facing big challenges from his political
\nopponents as well as the ailing government bureaucracy. In order
\nto enhance the nation's credibility, his Cabinet members should
\nhave the teeth to deal with these unfavorable conditions. In a
\nforum in Melbourne five months ago, SBY quoted Winston Churchill
\nas saying that an advanced and civilized nation is one that
\nunderstands history.<\/p>\n
Consequently, while learning from past experience, SBY should
\nbe able to straighten out Indonesia's history so that instead of
\nbeing like a novel, it will be based on facts, including the
\nSept. 30 Communist movement, the incidents at Tanjung Priok,
\nSemanggi, Timor Leste and many others. In this way, our nation
\nwill be more open, advanced and broad-minded.<\/p>\n
BENJAMIN KNIGHT
\nMelbourne, Australia<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-new-cabinet-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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