Analysts caution of split in Cabinet
Analysts caution of split in Cabinet
JAKARTA (JP): A senior military officer and a political
academician warned on Tuesday of possible conflicts of interest
in the Cabinet, thanks to compromises President Abdurrahman Wahid
agreed to during the recruitment of ministers.
Chief of Wirabuana Military Command overseeing Sulawesi, Maj.
Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, predicted the Cabinet would undergo
its toughest test of solidarity in 2003, when political parties
contested the general elections.
"The way the Cabinet maintains its teamwork may only last for
two or three years because many ministers will be called up by
their respective parties to prepare for the elections," Agus said
in a discussion to evaluate President Abdurrahman's 50 days in
office, organized by the University of Indonesia.
"This is a consequence of the June polls which did not produce
any political party with a majority share of votes. It will be
worse if the Cabinet members who come from different parties fail
to shake off their political attributes," he added.
Shortly after his election as president, Abdurrahman formed a
so-called coalition Cabinet made up of ministers from parties
which finished among the top seven in the June general election
plus the Indonesian Military.
A crack was evident when Abdurrahman announced twice that
three of his 35 Cabinet ministers would quit for alleged
corruption. Hamzah Haz, the coordinating minister for people's
welfare and poverty eradication, resigned last month, but both he
and Abdurrahman denied that corruption was the cause of the
departure.
Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid has also threatened
to resign if calls for regional autonomy were not properly
addressed.
House of Representatives Speaker and Golkar Party chairman
Akbar Tandjung reiterated on Tuesday his demand that Abdurrahman
disclose the names of the ministers. His remarks were feared to
spark suspicion in the Cabinet, according to Akbar.
Another speaker at the seminar, political analyst Eep
Syaefulloh Fatah, said early friction in the Cabinet was a result
of Abdurrahman's preference for disregarding professional
consideration when recruiting the ministers.
"Abdurrahman Wahid tends to base his choices on cronyism,
rather than professionalism and competence," said Eep, who is a
lecturer at the University of Indonesia.
State officials in the Cabinet under Abdurrahman, better known
as Gus Dur, also failed to work as a team, Eep added.
"The facts on the ground unveil that many departments are not
working at all as they are still waiting for their ministers, who
are supposed to determine new policies," he said.
He also criticized the President for keeping himself busy
serving popular issues instead of addressing the basic problems
of the nation.
Apart from the threats, both speakers agreed that the Cabinet
faced heavy burdens in economic, social and political aspects.
(emf)