'Fit and proper test' for ministers

'Fit and proper test' for ministers

Form Koran Tempo

President Megawati's immediate job is to recruit ministers to
help run the administration in the best possible manner.

The recruitment and appointment of ministers are the
prerogative of the President. But historically, from the first to
the fourth president, the process of recruitment of ministers has
always been strongly influenced or tarnished by the interests of
certain political parties or groups under the pretext of
"cooperation". Even in the Soeharto regime, the recruitment of
ministers seemed to have been a most sensitive and strenuous
task, as it involved replacing or rotating the president's
assistants.

In anticipation of the demands in the era of regional autonomy
and globalization, the government needs to implement a working
system that covers the principles of professionalism,
objectivity, democracy, transparency, public accountability and
sustainable development.

Hence, to meet the above qualifications, it would be best for
the President to use some sort of "fit and proper test" in the
recruitment of ministers. The test should be open to whoever is
considered qualified, and pursuant to the criteria or
requirements set out by the legislature and executive.
This idea is proposed due to strong tendencies toward power-
sharing and to recruit former ministers and outspoken members of
the political elite. This all gives an impression that there are
no other people in Indonesia more capable than these candidates.

I personally think that the election of leaders through
political procedure should only include the president/vice
president, governors/district heads/deputies, regents/deputies
and mayors/deputies. The rest should all go through the "fit and
proper test", to ensure the appointment of truly qualified people
needed for our national development.

SAUR M. TAMPUBULON

Jakarta