Government sets up high appointment council

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has set up a national council in charge of studying proposals on the appointment, promotion and transfer of high-ranking civil servants.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono told newsmen yesterday that the council, which is chaired by Vice President Try Sutrisno, reports to the President.

Members of the council include himself, state minister/cabinet secretary, minister of administrative reforms and head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Body (Bakin).

Moerdiono said that according to the newly-issued presidential decree, ministers or heads of the high government agencies and secretary generals of the state institutions can nominate three candidates to fill in a Level One government post, which is equivalent to the secretary general of a ministry.

He said the council will study the proposals and later give their advise to the President. It is also the case with new assignments of the high-ranking officials.

Moerdiono said the formation of the council also aims at assuring the careers of high-ranking civil servants.

With the formation, he said, it is hoped that people will stop suspecting the for and against practices behind any appointments. (tis)