Cabinet meeting frequency tripled

Cabinet meeting frequency tripled

JAKARTA: Often criticized for a lack of coordination,
President Megawati Soekarnoputri will triple the number of
cabinet meetings to six times a month starting in January.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after Thursday's cabinet meeting
that the aim was to show that the government was highly committed
to improving the condition of the country.

"Aware of the complexity of the problems facing the country,
the government needs to improve coordination," Susilo said.

In the beginning of her tenure, Megawati decided to only hold
two cabinet meetings each month. She stays in the State Palace
until 2 p.m. each day, and sometimes receives state guests at her
official residence.

Her critics say that her government is too slow in dealing
with state problems which have battered the country since the
economic crisis began in 1997.

"As of next year, we will have two plenary cabinet meetings
and four limited cabinet meetings a month," Susilo said.--JP