Hartono cool under pressure

JAKARTA (JP): As the debate over the next president and vice president seems to have died down, public talk has turned more than ever to the make-up of the forthcoming cabinet.

Outgoing Minister of Information R. Hartono is one of the names often touted to be high on the list of those who will receive a senior post.

During a light moment with the minister, journalists tried to get a reaction from him to see if the rumors were true.

One reporter came up to Hartono during a break in one of the sessions and asked: "Can we take a picture with you before you become the minister of home affairs?"

The smiling Hartono remained cool, refusing to give any signal which would either confirm or deny the suggestion.

Hartono and his wife merely invited 20 reporters to join him in the photo. (das)