Hartono stresses cooperation

Hartono stresses cooperation

JAKARTA (JP): Army General Hartono, in his new civilian post
as information minister, stressed yesterday that the government
and the media needed to work closely together.

Speaking after being sworn-in by President Soeharto, Hartono
said the two must work in a "familial" spirit.

"We must improve our shortcomings together," he said.

Hartono, Army chief of staff for the last two years, arrived
for the ceremony at State Palace in a dark double-breasted
civilian suit. President Soeharto also swore-in the Army's new
number one, Gen. Wiranto.

Hartono's appointment to replace Harmoko, who has held the
post for the past 14 years, came as a major surprise.

The portfolio includes watching the media and he is empowered,
under a 1984 ministerial decree, to revoke the publishing
licenses of newspapers and magazines if they are deemed by the
government to have stepped out of line.

Hartono, who turned 56 Tuesday, said he would move into his
new office on Jl. Merdeka Barat on Monday, and he would formally
retire from active military service at the end of the month.

"This is a new challenge for me after serving the military for
30 years," Hartono said.

Approaching the press would be completely different from
approaching soldiers, he said.

The general was more responsive to questions about his
impression of the Indonesian media than he has been since his
appointment was announced last Friday.

He said that generally, he found the Indonesian press "well-
behaved".

He said that as a matter of professional courtesy, journalists
must always "check and recheck" with their news sources before
writing their stories.

"Unprofessional journalists could give the wrong image of the
nation. Journalism is a professional career, so you cannot work
recklessly, because this is dangerous," he said.

Hartono said he too was surprised by his new appointment.
"When I met with him (President Soeharto) on June 5, he only told
me that I could not retire on June 10 because there wasn't enough
time to prepare."

Prior to Friday's announcement, speculation was rife about
Hartono's political future. While many had predicted Wiranto
would be appointed his successor, no one had expected he would
move into a cabinet position.

Hartono reached the mandatory retirement age for military
officers last year when he turned 55. President Soeharto used his
prerogative to extend Hartono's service for a year.

Both Hartono and Wiranto took their oaths separately yesterday
in accordance with Islamic tradition.

Soeharto yesterday also installed Harmoko in his new cabinet
post, as state minister for special assignments. Harmoko took his
oath when he was re-installed as information minister in 1993.

There were no speeches during the ceremony which was attended
by Vice President Try Sutrisno, cabinet members and Hartono's,
Harmoko's and Wiranto's relatives.

Also present where Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Arief
Kushariadi, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Sutria Tubagus and
National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo. All three appeared with
one more star on their shoulders, which they received after their
rank promotions Tuesday.

Wiranto, who will officially take over the Army post on
Friday, kept his comment brief.

"I am happy," he said.

Wiranto's career skyrocketed after serving as Soeharto's
adjutant from 1989 to 1993. He served as Jakarta military
commander before becoming chief of the Army's Strategic Reserve
Command last year, a position he held until his new appointment
yesterday. Born on July 7, 1947 in Yogyakarta, he graduated from
the National Military Academy in 1968.

Harmoko said he was grateful for his new position but made no
further comment on his new job. "This is the first time we have
had a minister for special assignments," he said.

On Monday, after reporting to President Soeharto, Harmoko said
his special assignment was to prepare a crash course for the new
lot of 500 legislators who will be installed on October 1.

Harmoko, who retains his other important post as Golkar
chairman, is expected to remain in the cabinet until October 1.

Many analysts say he will be the next Speaker of the House of
Representatives and Chairman of the People's Consultative
Assembly, replacing Wahono. (06)