Controversy continues over issue of ministers' wealth

JAKARTA (JP): Assembly members dodged queries yesterday about whether members of the next cabinet should have their personal wealth audited before and after their term of office, with some saying the issue was entirely a matter for the president.

"It's the prerogative of the next president to decide whether or not such an audit is necessary," said Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana of the Golkar faction, echoing earlier statements by colleagues R. Hartono and Hari Sabarno.

The eldest daughter of President Soeharto, Hardiyanti, also known as Mbak Tutut, said: "The Indonesian people should entrust everything that has to do with the establishment of the cabinet, to the person who holds the mandate of the People's Consultative Assembly."

"Whoever is elected the holder of the mandate (namely the president), we should respect his right to decide on (affairs that have to do with) the cabinet," she said.

Golkar faction leader Ginandjar Kartasasmita also said it would be up to the president to decide whether an audit should be conducted. He insisted it had been the practice of cabinet ministers to disclose their wealth for tax assessment purposes.

"Everyone, including ministers, has to disclose their income and pay their tax," he said.

Among the staunchest proponents of the notion was outgoing Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo, a former successful businessman who relinquished his positions in dozens of companies when President Soeharto recruited him to the cabinet ten years ago. Siswono repeatedly made calls for such an audit five years ago and again this week -- for senior officials as well as ministers.

Yesterday Siswono said: "As ministers are the aides of the president, then it follows that before and after they hold the posts, they should make reports about their personal wealth."

"This (campaign) is in connection with the effort to create a clean and respected government in the future, especially in the wake of the monetary crisis," he said. "I believe all factions of the People's Consultative Assembly would support this notion."

Siswono, however, rejected the idea that the audit should be made public, saying it would go against Indonesian culture.

"If that person was wealthy, he would be considered a showoff. If he was poor, well... This is why the report should be made only for their immediate superiors," he said.

Outgoing State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, who is also the sole vice presidential candidate of the Assembly's five factions, recently indicated his willingness to be audited.

Some Assembly members lauded his stance, and called on other ministers to follow suit. The minority United Development Party faction even called for the establishment of a special body to hold the audit.

Fahmi Idris, a Golkar legislator said it was not necessary to establish a special agency for the purpose.

"Creating good governance is a process, but we don't need to create a new body. Just use whatever institutions are available, for instance the Supreme Audit Agency," he said.

Outgoing State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, who is also a Golkar Assembly member, agreed there was a need for officials to draw up an inventory of their wealth and disclose it to the proper authorities.

"I agree with the concept, but the rules should be clearly established," he said, adding: "It would not take long for me to draw up my own inventory. One day would be enough." (team)