Amien opposes cabinet change

JAKARTA: People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Amien Rais urged President Megawati on Tuesday not to heed growing calls for her to replace some of her cabinet ministers.

He warned that a cabinet shakeup could lead to political instability in the country.

"I would like to point out that the present cabinet has only been in office for 10 months. The idea should be reconsidered because any such change could result in political distortions," he said.

Amien, however, stressed that it all depended on the President, who had the prerogative to reshuffle her Cabinet.

He also declined to evaluate Megawati's young Cabinet.

Legislators have asked Megawati to change her economic ministers due to lack of coordination, and to dismiss Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil and State Secretary Bambang Kesowo. --Antara