Cabinet silent on crucial meet

JAKARTA: For the first time since the establishment of Megawati's administration in August, journalists were kept in the dark by Cabinet spokespeople after a crucial meeting, which was convened to discuss the amendment on investment laws.

"There is not a single consensus that we achieved so we are not going to give any press statement," Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Monday, while rushing to his car.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro- Jakti, went straight to his car after the meeting, looking irritated and refusing to say anything to journalists, who had been waiting several hours for a report on the meeting.

Other ministers that attended the meeting -- Minister of Finance Boediono, Minister of Trade and Industry Rini Suwandi and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resource Purnomo Yusgiantoro -- also departed hastily without a word.

"None of the ministers said anything? Well...," State Secretary/Cabinet Secretary Bambang Kesowo told reporters, as he walked past them to his office. --JP