Firmer action needed

In the view of some observers the lack of coordination among ministers in Gus Dur's (President Abdurrahman Wahid's) Cabinet is the logical consequence of the position he took when setting up his team -- that is, to establish a "rainbow" coalition (including as many parties as possible). As a result it is quite possible that mutual suspicion among ministers exists. A minister may feel reluctant to support the policies of a fellow Cabinet minister because it would only benefit the other minister's party.

Whether or not such speculations on the part of the public are true, the fact is that indications to support them exist. One such indication is the International Monetary Fund's decision to delay implementation of the Letter of Intent signed together with the Indonesian government.

All this provides a valuable lesson for President Abdurrahman Wahid. The time may have come for him to consider suggestions that he reshuffle his Cabinet, or at the very least act more firmly against ineffective ministers.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta