Cabinet reshuffle urged to settle political rift

Cabinet reshuffle urged to settle political rift

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud MD suggested that a
reshuffle of the current Cabinet be undertaken to accommodate
major political parties, with the aim of settling the political
rift between anti-government and pro-government movements.

"Both camps are strong and therefore political instability
will not end in the short term," he said.

The minister claimed that he had discussed such possible
arrangements with executives of some political parties, including
Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) and the National Awakening Party (PKB).

"I suggest that the Reform faction and the United Development
Party (PPP) become the opposition but if they want to join the
Cabinet it's okay too," he said on Saturday.

"I see no way out of this battle unless the political elite
realizes that unseating Gus Dur is not a solution," he said.

"Gus Dur supporters should also realize that they just can't
neglect the opponents of Gus Dur."

Sentiments reflecting both support and opposition to
Abdurrahman have crystallized and often sparked into open mob
violence in recent weeks.

A heated political climate has been stimulated, in particular
by the House of Representatives censure of the President and the
issuance of a memorandum for his alleged involvement in two
financial scandals.

Mahfud asserted that he would be one of the first ministers to
offer his resignation if his current post was needed to be filled
by someone else under such a political compromise.

"Other ministers should be prepared, too," he remarked.

Mahfud further claimed that discussions on the idea of a
Cabinet reshuffle is also being discussed by the next level below
the President, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, House
Speaker Akbar Tandjung, and People's Consultative Assembly
Speaker Amien Rais.

"We will assure the President that this is the political
reality, and changing the Cabinet into an accommodative one is a
must...Although he has repeatedly stated that ministerial posts
should not be treated as 'market merchandise' which can be
traded," he said.

Separately when asked to comment on the likelihood of a
possible reshuffle, legislators from PDI Perjuangan and the
National Awakening Party (PKB) remained aloof, instead stressing
the need to implement a decree on the delegation of power to the
Vice President.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Sunday, deputy secretary
general of PDI Perjuangan Pramono Anung said what's needed most
is a commitment to implement Presidential Decree No. 121/2000, on
the delegation of daily government duties to the Vice President.

"The cabinet reshuffle may not be a sufficient move right now.
I think the most important thing is to effectively implement the
presidential decree and the People's Consultative Assembly Decree
No. 8/2000," Pramono said, while stressing that his remarks were
a personal statement and did not represent the official party
line.

He underlined that the party has yet to take a stand on what
steps should be taken to resolve the current political crisis.

Separately, Ali Masykur Moesa from PKB said that a Cabinet
shake-up would be sufficient as long as it could guarantee some
form of commitment from PDI Perjuangan, the Indonesian Military
and the Golkar Party.

"If the Cabinet shake-up is considered as a strategic alliance
for the future then it might work," he remarked.

Ali expressed confidence that the President may be willing to
open up discussion on power sharing between the parties if such a
guarantee could be provided.(44/edt/dja)