Cabinet reshuffle?

Cabinet reshuffle?

Among the topics discussed by the media and the public in
recent weeks has been the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle by
President Megawati Soekarnoputri. The reason given by the
opposition forces for the need of a reshuffle is that no progress
in the economic field has been made during Megawati's coalition
government.

But perhaps most surprising to most observers has been that
the issue of a Cabinet reshuffle has surfaced before the present
administration has even lasted for one year; it has actually been
only nine months. Opposition economic analysts have criticized
the government for a lack of coordination among its ministers in
implementing its program of economic recovery. On the contrary,
they ignore the fact that the rupiah has appreciated to Rp 9,000
per U.S. dollar.

The odd thing is that State Minister of National Development
Planning/Bappenas Chairman Kwik Kian Gie has openly attacked the
government economic team for dealing with the International
Monetary Fund to solve the national budgetary problem, and
internal and international debt burdens.

He spoke bluntly to the press about the government's bank
restructuring policy and the privatization of several state-owned
enterprises, saying they would only cause financial losses to the
state.

This probably has led to rumors that a Cabinet reshuffle is in
the offing. Another reason may be the position of the defense
minister, Matori Abdul Djalil, who lacks any political backing or
experience in his field, and who has accomplished nothing worth
noting in matters of military and defense strategy.

But observers overlook the fact that a Cabinet reshuffle would
only bring about a change in the composition of the
administration, with virtually no change in its mentality, since
any administration would have to implement a similar recovery
program given the circumstances. Speaking of a Cabinet reshuffle
at present therefore seems absurd. The best thing is to wait
until the elections in 2004. Shock therapy at this point would
only bring greater disaster.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta