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)