Haryanto still unclear about his new job

Haryanto still unclear about his new job

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Food, Drugs and Horticulture
Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday he was unclear about his
responsibilities in his new ministerial post.

Haryanto, former minister of transportation, said he was
waiting for his job description to begin work in the newly
established state ministerial office.

"I'm still waiting for further details about my duties,
functions and responsibilities. The details about the job are
still being discussed," he said, adding that his duties would be
stipulated by Coordinating Minister of Development Supervision
and State Administrative Reform Hartarto Sastrosoenarto together
with other related ministers.

"But, it is already clear that my office will support related
portfolio ministry jobs, especially to guarantee that food,
horticulture products and drugs are available in the market at
reasonable prices," he said after a ministerial ceremony
yesterday.

Observers have criticized the establishment of the office of
the State Minister of Food, Drugs and Horticulture in the new
cabinet because it seems to overlap with the responsibilities of
other government offices.

The Ministry of Agriculture, for example, has a director
general of food crops and horticulture, while the Ministry of
Health has a director general of drug supervision and the State
Logistics Agency (Bulog) handles the distribution of rice, wheat
flour and other important commodities.

Haryanto said his office would coordinate with other related
offices to avoid overlaps.

His office will place a priority on the smooth distribution of
basic commodities, such as rice, eggs, meat, milk and medicines
at affordable prices, he said. (gis)