Handshakes, kisses mark Jusuf, Andung send-off

Rendi A. Witular and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Losing a top job is not the end of the world for former minister of finance Jusuf Anwar and former minister of industry Andung Nitimihardja, who were dismissed from the Cabinet on Wednesday.

There were no signs of sadness in the faces of the former ministers while receiving farewell handshakes and cheek kisses from fellow ministers and high-ranking officials during the inauguration of new ministers at the Presidential Palace.

Former Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab did not attend the ceremony as he was assigned by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to represent him at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

After receiving farewells from Attorney General Abdurrahman Saleh and State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Adhiyaksa Dault, Jusuf chatted with reporters on his plans for the future.

"I will have a week's holiday in Jakarta to unpack my stuff from my previous residence in Manila before lecturing in economic law at the Padjadjaran University in Bandung ... You have to cherish every second of your life and enjoy it," he said.

Before being appointed as finance minister, Jusuf was an executive for the Asian Development Bank based in Manila.

Jusuf said he would also wait for the President to appoint him as an ambassador to "an important Asian country only seven hours flying from Jakarta", but refusing to name the country.

Andung, on the contrary, seemed a little unhappy although he still gave smiles to fellow ministers and high-ranking officials during the ceremony. Dozens of reporters overwhelmed Andung with questions over his acceptance of his dismissal.

"I am okay. I am not sad. A position for me is a mandate from God ... After this, I just want to relax and enjoy life while waiting for President Susilo to give me a new post," he said.

While other outgoing ministers have been given new posts, Susilo said after announcing his new economic team on Monday that he was still looking for a position for Andung.