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)