'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