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)