Ali Rahman denies quitting Cabinet

JAKARTA (JP): State Secretary Ali Rahman cautiously denied his impending demise from the Cabinet, but insinuated that his duties should remain in close proximity to the President.

When asked by reporters if he had submitted a letter of resignation, Ali asserted it only contained an outline of the vision of the State Secretariat in accordance with President Abdurrahman Wahid's vision.

"I'm ready to assist (the President) anywhere, but if it is too far from him I will object," he told journalists after attending a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Sources earlier told The Jakarta Post that Ali had either left or was about to leave the Cabinet. Abdurrahman said in London on Tuesday that Ali had "resigned at his own request".

Speculation on the resignation seems to surround two matters -- investigation of possible corruption during his tenure as deputy chairman of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) and discontent over his reduced role in the Cabinet, which includes a possible row with presidential secretary Ratih Hardjono.

Attorney General Marzuki Darusman confirmed that an investigation was conducted but would not say what it was on.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung made no qualms about the "bad blood" between Ali and Ratih.

He told journalists that it may be better for Ali to resign if the climate became "unhealthy" at the State Secretariat.

Palace sources have said that Ali is unhappy with the limited responsibilities of his office which Abdurrahman has described more as a state administrative archives office. Much of the authority of Ali's office was transferred to Ratih.

Akbar said he understood Ali's possible frustration as Ratih was closer to the President, whom she had known and worked with longer.

"That's why it's best for Ali Rahman to resign with the hope that Gus Dur will give him another opportunity in another place," Akbar remarked.

When asked about allegations of corruption, Akbar said these were merely suspicions which still had no basis.

"What I know for sure is that the working environment at the State Secretariat is no longer harmonious," he said, adding that many of the key posts in that office were held by people close to Abdurrahman such as Ratih, Bondan Gunawan and Marsilan Simanjuntak.

Meanwhile, legislator Effendy Choiri said Abdurrahman wants Ali to resign.

"But Gus Dur doesn't want it to come out and say it, but rather hopes that Ali Rahman can catch hints that he isn't suitable (for the job)," the National Awakening Party legislator said.

Effendy even alleged Ali was guilty of nepotism by recruiting friends from the Association of Islamic Students (HMI) to posts in the State Secretariat.

"It seems Ali is building his own strength in the office," he said. (jun/mds)