Akbar dismisses DPA's first minister plan

Akbar dismisses DPA's first minister plan

JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Akbar Tandjung dismissed the
Supreme Advisory Council's proposal for the appointment of a
first minister to assist the President on the grounds that it
violated the 1945 Constitution and would only increase political
instability in the nation.

"The Supreme Advisory Council's proposal will not be effective
because the appointment of a first minister and the presence of
coordinating ministers could create confusion and disturbance in
the cabinet," he said here on Tuesday.

The Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) called for the president on
Monday to appoint a first minister in order to establish
consistency among the ministers in the government.

Akbar said he appreciated President Abdurrahman Wahid's recent
decision to personally concentrate on economic matters while Vice
President Megawati tackles administrative affairs.

"What is most important is that the coordinating ministers
strengthen cooperation with all ministers under their own
authority so that the government can make significant progress
and achieve something of benefit to the people of Indonesia," he
said.

Akbar warned that despite the president's prerogatives, he
could not replace his ministers arbitrarily because the cabinet
consisted of ministers representing political parties and other
interest groups.

"The president should not listen to the DPA's proposal because
it would disrupt the cabinet and would not create a conducive
environment in the administration," he said.

House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno concurred and
said the proposal was unconstitutional.

"The DPA's proposal is neka-neka (idle and groundless) and the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) will
oppose it in the House," he said.

He also mentioned that a first minister was appointed during
the Djuanda cabinet, when the nation adopted, temporarily, the
system of the United States (RIS) in the 1950s.

"The idea of having a first minister was phased out after the
nation went back to the constitution in July 1959," he said.

Legislator A. Effendy Choirie of the National Awakening Party
(PKB) was more cynical in his assessment, saying that it was part
of a grand plan to undermine the president's ability to manage
his cabinet.

"The plan was intended to unveil Gus Dur's need for help and
to block his leadership," Effendy told reporters at the sidelines
of PKB's national coordination meeting.

Effendy also said the idea did not make any sense because Gus
Dur, Megawati and all the cabinet members were able to work
effectively together.

"We all have to give the newly formed cabinet a chance to
work, it has only been eight months," he remarked.

Acting State Secretary Bondan Gunawan also said that it was
unnecessary to appoint a first secretary but stressed that the
decision would be up to the People's Consultative Assembly and
the House of Representatives.

"In my opinion, he (Abdurrahman) has enough (aides) but if the
people ask for it, it is okay," Bondan said, adding that doing
this would mean making a few cabinet rearrangements, but without
eliminating coordinating ministers.

Political observer Pratikno and legal expert Jimly Asshiddiqie
joined in the chorus of opposition to the idea, saying that it
would only complicate policy making in the cabinet.

"The layers of policy making would become even thicker and
more asphyxiating if yet another post under the President was
created," said Pratikno from Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada
University.

"It's useless since the problem is really the fault of the
country's leadership," Jimly from University of Indonesia said in
Bandung.

He suggested the separation of head of state and head of
government due to the complicated problems faced by a big country
such as Indonesia.

Nevertheless, there were some supporting voices amidst all the
discontent.

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais and United
Development Party's senior legislator Aisyah Amini said that it
would be very helpful for the President to have a person who can
directly help manage such affairs.

"But it's up to the President to make the decision," Amien was
quoted by Antara as saying after a mass gathering at Al-Azhar
grand mosque.

Aisyah suggested that the idea to appoint a first minister be
discussed by the Assembly. (25/44/rms/dja/jun)