Golkar split 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.