First Cabinet meeting a larning experience

JAKARTA (JP): The first Cabinet plenary session on Wednesday was a learning experience for all in attendance, not only because of the numerous new faces but also because many present were former political rivals.

Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri was hesitant to enter the meeting hall, eventually opting to wait for President Abdurrahman Wahid and enter the venue with him.

According to protocol, the vice president should enter the meeting hall before the president.

When a protocol official asked the Cabinet ministers to rise, new ministers were quick to stand while more experienced Cabinet members, including Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, were slower to rise from their chairs.

When the President's voice became difficult to hear during the meeting, Wiranto, who was seated to the right of Abdurrahman, politely told him the microphone was located to his right.

"I thank all of you for your presence at this fist Cabinet meeting," the President said in his introductory remarks. His most trusted aide, daughter Zannuba "Yenni" Arifah Chafsof, watched her father from a nearby seat.

According to tradition, the minister/state secretary is seated to the President's right. During the meeting on Wednesday, however, State Secretary Ali Rahman was seated next to Megawati.

Megawati smiled when Minister of Maritime Exploration Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, who was seated in front of the Vice President, bowed his head to her. Megawati attempted to acknowledge all of the ministers, and directed a smile at Minister of Transportation Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar.

Some 30 minutes before the President arrived at 9:15 a.m., 34 of the 35 Cabinet members already were at the meeting hall, but many of them experienced some difficulty locating their seats.

Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan, who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, was the only minister absent.

"Oh, this is a dangerous location," Attorney General Marzuki Darusman joked when he mistakenly sat in the seat of Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo A.S.

Minister of Manpower Bomer Pasaribu, whose appointment was widely opposed by labor activists, cautiously mingled with his fellow ministers.

"We have the same fate," Bomer said as he greeted State Minister of Environment Soni Keraf.

Soni's appointment was opposed by many non-governmental organizations.

"I have to accept reality," Soni said when Bomer brought up a newspaper report which ranked Soni as the poorest Cabinet minister. The same report named Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla the richest on the Cabinet.

Minister of Forestry and Plantations Nur Mahmudi Ismail approached Bomer and complained about his ministerial pin, which kept coming undone.

"Your problem is only the pin. But both of us have to face demonstrators who oppose us," Bomer said, referring to Soni.

Minister of Agriculture Mohammad Prakosa said he wore his best suit for the meeting. "Isn't this suit quite attractive," he asked a journalist.

TNI chief Adm. Widodo was somewhat reserved with journalists. Widodo, who was seated near his predecessor Wiranto, softly answered journalists' questions and often winked at Wiranto as he spoke.

Wiranto did not move from his seat as the ministers awaited the arrival of the President and Vice President. When he was approached by State Minister of Research and Technology A.S. Hikam, Wiranto politely replied to Hikam's questions. Hikam, who often criticized the military in television interviews, is most likely not a new face to the general.

When asked about how he would go about expressing his views in the Cabinet meeting, State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Development Laksamana Sukardi said: "I'm used to being straight forward, but now I have to be more courteous."

The President joked he had two admirals in the Cabinet. Laksamana is the Indonesian word for admiral.

It also was discovered not all of the ministers had moved into their new offices. State Minister of Social Affairs Anak Agung Gde Agung said the employees of the dissolved social affairs ministry prevented him from entering his new office.

"His report to the President was wonderful, although he still does not have an office," Ali Rahman joked. (prb)