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