Discord among the ministers

Discord among the ministers

Problems caused by lack of coordination among government institutions have occurred for many years, and that is why a system called KISS -- coordination, integration, synchronization, and simplification -- was implemented.

The most recent case of discord among ministers is between Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie and Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad over the purchase of second-hand German warships. Mar'ie considers the price too high and is well above the given budget.

A similar case occurred between Minister of Information Harmoko and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, over Government Regulation No.20/1994. Harmoko stated that the regulation will not be enforced in the media sector, because it is against the Press Law. His statement is supported by Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman so that automatically the Law supersedes the regulation. But Moerdiono objected to it and said that the regulation does not contradict the law. Meanwhile Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo does not know whether the new regulation runs counter to the media law.

Such discord is serious because it opens up the possibility of collusion.

People understand that government officials are extremely busy, but they should solve their conflicts internally, so the government is able to retain its authority.

--Media Indonesia, Jakarta