Cabinet reshuffle to be minor

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced on Wednesday he would make few changes to the Cabinet and seek singular loyalty from his aides following the minor reshuffle.

The President will also readjust his professional relations with his deputy Jusuf Kalla and regulate the businesses of Cabinet members or their relatives involved in projects funded by the state or regional budgets.

"There may be one or two who can no longer sit in the Cabinet because they do not achieve the set standards. Maybe they are good but ministerial posts do not suit them. As the saying goes 'right man, wrong place'.

"Or perhaps they are good but face difficulties in working in a team," Susilo told an unscheduled media conference.

The President had previously been tightlipped over a Cabinet reshuffle.

He said the process of evaluating his aides was almost complete and the results would be announced in the near future.

"People may think there will be a major shake-up. There will not, because that would affect stability," Susilo said.

After the changes, Cabinet members, particularly those who are supported by political parties, will have to pledge allegiance to the President, Susilo said.

"There shall be no dual loyalty but faithfulness to the President when it comes to state duties," Susilo said.

For that reason, the President said he would remind national leaders of the "rules of the game" as to how a coalition Cabinet works.

The Cabinet comprises 35 ministers, 15 of whom are drawn from political parties.

Regarding the adjustment to his relationship with the Vice President, Susilo said the move was necessary to "prevent public perception that the vice president dominates the government".

However, Susilo asserted that he would give Kalla an important rather than a stand-in role. Susilo said he had talked to Kalla, who also leads the Golkar Party, which controls the most seats in the House of Representatives, about the issues.

Another key move to boost the performance of his Cabinet will be the issuance of a decree requiring members of the Cabinet or their relatives to publicly announce their firms' involvement in bidding for projects funded by the state or regional budgets.

The decree is needed to prevent possible conflicts of interest between the Cabinet members and their businesses as well as corruption, collusion and nepotism.

"It's not suspicion, but for the sake of a good governance," Susilo said.

Kalla and his close Golkar aide Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie, are among Cabinet members whose families run businesses.