Golkar differs over demand for more ministerial posts

Golkar differs over demand for more ministerial posts

Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Golkar Party reaffirmed on Wednesday its support for the
government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, which it said
was unconditional despite internal pressure for more
representation in Cabinet.

Golkar deputy chairman Agung Laksono said the party did not
intend to ask for more ministerial posts in Susilo's Cabinet, but
said he did back a review of Cabinet members' performance to make
way for a possible reshuffle.

"It's not true that we have raised such a request (for more
ministers), because reshuffling the Cabinet and appointing
ministers are entirely the president's prerogative," Agung said.

Agung, who is also the House of Representatives Speaker, was
commenting on earlier remarks made by some Golkar politicians who
said the party deserved more seats in Cabinet due to its support
for the government.

"Such a request has never been discussed yet, informally or
formally, within the party," Agung said.

He said it would be necessary for the government to review the
performance of the Cabinet within five months, or a year after it
assumed power, to see if public expectations had been met.

"If the review finds any (of the 33) minister disappointing,
it's up to the government to reshuffle them. Golkar has enough
qualified resources to fill the ministerial posts," he said.

Agung earlier said on Friday it was more than logical for
Golkar, which won the most votes in last year's legislative
elections, to take more Cabinet posts, and that it would be
inappropriate if the government did not consider it, given the
support that Golkar had thrown behind it so far.

Golkar is led by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who contested the
presidential election last year as the running mate for Susilo,
although the party officially supported the then incumbent
president, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

There are only two Golkar members in Susilo's multi-party
Cabinet -- Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie
and Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris.

Some Golkar politicians have said this was not enough and
noted Aburizal and Fahmi's appointments were not originally
supported by the bulk of Golkar members.

A request by Golkar to secure at least seven Cabinet posts was
made public by several party officials recently, who linked it to
further support of the government by the party's House members.

A Cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place before October,
when Susilo appraises his ministers.

Legislator Effendy Choirie from the National Awakening Party
(PKB) said it was logical for Golkar to make such a request
because it could help to stabilize the administration.

"I'm of the opinion that a Cabinet reshuffle is urgent. The
president should pick replacements from parties that won the most
votes to help make the Cabinet more conducive and solid," he
said.

Effendy added that Kalla, after meeting with PKB's newly-
elected leader Muhaimin Iskandar, had promised to advise
Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare Alwi Shihab and
State Minister for the Development of Disadvantaged Regions
Saifullah Yusuf to "back away" from the PKB.

The two formed a splinter group intent on challenging the
outcome of the PKB Congress in April. Their move was stymied when
the congress elected Muhaimin as PKB's executive leader and
Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid as the party's influential chief
patron.