Firmer action needed

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