Cabinet set to be named on Tuesday

Cabinet set to be named on Tuesday

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is expected to
announce the lineup of his Cabinet on Tuesday, six days after his
election to the nation's helm.

Close aide Alwi Shihab, who is expected to be named foreign
minister, confirmed to reporters that the President, who is
better known as Gus Dur, would make his announcement at 2 p.m. or
4 p.m.

Palace staff members said the announcement could be earlier in
the day.

"Gus Dur said it will be called the National Unity Cabinet,"
Alwi said after accompanying the President to a consultation
meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives.

"It will comprise representatives of major political forces,
professionals, the Indonesian Military and minority groups.

"Gus Dur had a headache because each time he cut the size of
the Cabinet, there were new proposals. I think the Cabinet will
eventually consist of 25 ministers."

Alwi neither denied nor confirmed that he would move to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but he looked at ease in answering
journalists' questions on a number of foreign policy issues.

When asked if the Cabinet lineup would include ministers from
previous administrations, he said: "One or two maybe."

"Some were not all that bad. They stuck by their principles,
rejected the practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism and,
as a result, they were alienated.

"Mar'ie Muhammad (a former finance minister), although he is
not in the (new) Cabinet, is one example. He's 'Mr. Clean' whose
integrity is beyond question. There is also Sarwono Kusumaatmadja
(the former environment minister)," said Alwi, who is an
executive of the National Awakening Party (PKB).

"There is also Quraish Shihab. You certainly can't question
his integrity," he said, laughing. Quraish, Alwi's elder brother,
served as minister of religious affairs for three months in
Soeharto's short-lived final administration last year.

Although journalists bandied about the names which have
appeared on purported Cabinet lists in circulation, Alwi was
careful not to give too much away. He stressed the public must
wait for the final announcement by the President on Tuesday.

Commitment

He guaranteed that no old faces would make up the new economic
team. "You'll like them. It will underline Gus Dur's strong
commitment to reform."

On rumors that a civilian would assume the minister of defense
and security portfolio, he said: "It looks like someone has
leaked it."

One list circulating on Monday stated that Juwono Sudarsono, a
respected political scientist who served as minister of education
in B.J. Habibie's administration, would become defense minister.

Alwi said it appeared that the President would keep a number
of coordinating ministers despite popular opinion that the posts
served little purpose.

He said the post of attorney general would go to "someone who
is popular with journalists".

Besides Alwi there were several other names commonly found on
the speculative Cabinet lists exchanged or sent by fax across
Jakarta on Monday.

Although constitutionally the President has full prerogative
in naming his ministers, it is clear that Abdurrahman is aiming
for a reconciliation Cabinet which will involve all the major
political forces. It is also expected to include representatives
of minority groups, including non-Javanese and non-Muslims.

From PKB, Alwi Shihab is expected to become foreign minister.
Other figures from Nahdlatul Ulama, PKB's sister organization,
rumored for Cabinet posts are Tolhah Hasan (religious affairs)
and A.S. Hikam (environment).

From the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan), economist and popular columnist Kwik Kian Gie looked
almost certain to take the post of coordinating minister of the
economy, finance and industry. There was less certainty about
banker Laksamana Sukardi, although one list said he would land
the communication and transportation portfolio. Tjahjo Kumolo is
also rumored to be a contender for sports and youth affairs
minister.

Human rights campaigner and Golkar Party deputy chairman
Marzuki Darusman is believed to be a shoo-in to become attorney
general.

Hamzah Haz of the United Development Party is expected to be
named coordinating minister for people's welfare, Yusril Izha
Mahendra of the Crescent Star Party the minister of justice and
Nur Mahmudi of the Justice Party the agriculture minister.

Among the military, Gen. Wiranto is tipped to be named
coordinating minister for political affairs and security, while
Lt. Gen. Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono the mines and energy minister.

Apart from Juwono Sudarsono for the defense and security
portfolio, there is widespread speculation that Bambang Sudibyo
of Gadjah Mada University will become finance minister.

Former Jakarta governor Soerjadi Sudirdja is expected to be
named to the powerful post of home affairs minister while Navy
Admiral Widodo would likely become the first Military Chief who
is not from the Army. (emb/prb/amd)