Ex-minister replaces government critic as think-tank head

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono installed former justice minister Muladi as the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Governor on Tuesday, replacing Ermaya Suradinata who had been critical of the government's decision to hold peace talks with Aceh rebels.

In his address, Susilo asked Muladi, the second civilian to lead the defense think tank after Ermaya, to bring about significant changes to the institute. The President did not elaborate.

Susilo signed a decree naming Muladi Lemhannas governor on Aug. 24.

Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi said earlier Ermaya had been serving for some time and the institute needed "rejuvenation". Ermaya was appointed by president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid in February 2001.

Muladi, who heads the legal division of the Golkar Party and is one of party chairman Jusuf Kalla's closest aides, said he would introduce several new policies to refresh the curricula of the state institute.

"The institute shall not only produce national leaders but it must support the development of people as well," he said.

Ermaya expressed the hope that Lemhannas would remain critical of government policies.

Ermaya made headlines early this year when he publicly opposed the peace talks between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Vice President Jusuf Kalla reprimanded him for issuing a statement that might harm the peace process which Kalla was promoting to end three decades of bloodshed in the province.

Ermaya considered the negotiation with the Aceh rebels, who had been seeking independence since 1976, unconstitutional and that it would only help GAM internationalize the issue.

The government and GAM reached an agreement on Aug. 15 for a peaceful settlement under the framework of the unitary state of Indonesia.

During the ceremony, the President also installed Maj. Gen. (ret) M. Yasin as the secretary-general of the National Resilience Council (Wantannas), replacing Budi Santoso.

Wantannas is directly led by the president.

Present during the ceremony at the State Palace were Chief Justice Bagir Manan, Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshidiqie, House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono, Regional Representatives Council Speaker Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab.

Kalla was absent as he had left for an overseas trip to China and Japan.