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)