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