A reconciliation cabinet

From the start, the realization prevailed that the current Abdurrahman-Megawati Cabinet was not a Cabinet of experts, but more one of reconciliation, or a politically oriented Cabinet. Considerations of honesty, integrity and political commitment were as important as professionalism in the selection of ministers.

But professionalism alone, while putting personal and group interests before those of the nation as a whole, can have catastrophic consequences. The Bank Bali scandal is a clear illustration of how professionalism alone does not necessarily solve problems.

The composition of the Cabinet is promising enough in this regard. We have reason to hope that it will be able to address the country's most urgent priorities. This in itself is enough, since we must not peg our hopes to high at present. The most important thing for now is that the crisis is properly addressed in order to build a solid foundation for further progress in the future.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta