Dewi to act as presidential spokeswoman

Dewi to act as presidential spokeswoman

JAKARTA (JP): Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said on
Friday that he has ordered his assistant Dewi Fortuna Anwar to
act as a presidential spokeswoman when he was too busy with his
job as a minister or as Golkar chairman.

The minister however emphasized that he would remain as the
President's chief spokesman and Dewi, now his assistant for
foreign affairs, would only be assigned to help liaise with the
press.

Dewi has frequently acted as Habibie's spokesperson on foreign
affairs, a role in which she has already achieved some
recognition.

Separately, Dewi said she would act as a spokesperson for
President B.J. Habibie because the President wanted a more
transparent leadership and the public was eager to know more
about their leader's activities.

"She is not a presidential spokeswoman. The official spokesman
is the Minister/State Secretary," Akbar said after meeting with
the President.

When asked why he had appointed Dewi and not his deputy Toni
Hartono, Akbar replied "A woman always looks more attractive".

"I can be regarded as a bridge between journalists and the
presidential institution," Dewi, a political researcher, said
separately.

Differing from Akbar's claim that he had given Dewi a verbal
order, the latter said Akbar had issued a ministerial decree
dated Sept. 30 confirming her promotion.

"I have received the minister's decree which appoints me as
the president's spokesperson when deemed necessary by the
president," she said.

"It is an instruction, not a decree," Akbar said.

The serving minister/state secretary traditionally acts as the
president's chief spokesperson, while the minister of information
acts as the Cabinet spokesperson after Cabinet meetings.

Dewi promised that she would try to help journalists and gave
them her mobile telephone number.

"If it is difficult to reach the president, then I can be
contacted at any time," she said. (prb)