Gus Dur defends Cabinet reshuffle

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid defended on Wednesday his decision to replace two of his economics ministers as an ordinary Cabinet reshuffle well in line with his prerogative as head of government.

"I have to streamline the Cabinet and regulate it," the President said at the State Palace in his opening address before the swearing in ceremony of Lt. Gen. (ret.) Luhut Panjaitan and Rozy Munir as minister of industry and trade, and state minister of investment and state enterprises development respectively.

The President also reiterated that it would enhance better cooperation among the government's core economics team.

"This installment is meant for readjustment in creating good cooperation among the prevailing team," Abdurrahman said.

Citing disharmony, Abdurrahman decided on Monday to axe the minister of industry and trade, Yusuf Kalla, and the state minister of investment and state enterprises development, Laksamana Sukardi.

Both Yusuf and Laksamana were absent during the induction ceremony. They handed over their positions to their successors later in the day at their respective ministries.

Due to the President's poor eyesight, acting State Secretary Bondan Gunawan took over the official induction ceremony on the President's behalf.

Usually it is Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri who takes up the role of swearing in the new government members. However, she was still in Maluku on Wednesday.

Megawati, who is the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman, has not commented on the dismissal of Laksamana, who is a senior party member.

Following the ceremony, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie and Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo declined to comment on the President's claim that Yusuf and Laksamana could not cooperate with them.

"I am not in the position to comment on that. I'm just following the boss' decision," Bambang remarked.

"I can work with anyone," he added.

Vow

Luhut, who is the Indonesian ambassador to Singapore, vowed not to disappoint the President's trust, saying that he would work closely with fellow Cabinet members in boosting growth in industry and trade.

"The President has entrusted me with a ministerial position, and I will keep that trust," said Luhut.

Meanwhile, Rozy vowed to speed up the country's privatization program in a bid to help finance the 2000 state budget.

"The target to raise about Rp 6 trillion in privatization proceeds this year is a very tough job," he told journalists.

The government plans to privatize eight state companies this year.

Rozy said fertilizer firm PT Pupuk Kaltim, plantation firm PT Perkebunan IV and coal mining firm PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam would be the first.

Rozy also vowed to continue many of his predecessors' programs, including a reshuffle of the ministry within the next 10 days.

He said he would also organize regular meetings with foreign investors here in order to get a picture of the problems they face.

"The existing foreign investors are used as a reference by other investors planning to enter Indonesia," he said.

The new ministers quickly got down to work and attended a weekly Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential office, which focused on preparations for the President's consultative meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday.

Separately, the Army chief of staff revealed in Semerang, Central Java, that Luhut had been officially retired from active service since April 1 in accordance to a presidential decree.

He said the official retirement came through along with other Cabinet members such as Gen. Wiranto, Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar, Rear Adm. Freddy Numberi and North Sumatra Governor Maj. Gen. Rizal Nurdin.

In a related development, executives of the Jakarta chapter of PDI Perjuangan told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday there were no plans to hold rallies to protest the dismissal of a senior party member from the government.

"There is no such decision to deploy a mass rally on Thursday. We have held a chapter meeting on Tuesday discussing the matter. If there is, it's not in line with the chapter policy," the party's East Jakarta branch chief, Tarmidi Suhardjo, said when asked about the reaction to Laksamana's dismissal.

"All the chairmen from the party's five branches and chapters here have decided that it is unnecessary," said Tarmidi, who is also one of City Council's three deputy speakers, referring to a possible protest. (nvn/prb/byg/rei)