I have never been Megawati's advisor

In his interview with The Jakarta Post of Oct. 31, Mr. Arbi Sanit said: "Her advisor is still Kwik (Kian Gie), the supposedly unsuccessful coordinating minister for the economy and industry".

Not only is it untrue that I am "still" the advisor of Mrs. Megawati, but I have never been her advisor. I have always been one of the many vice chairmen of the central executive board (Dewan Pimpinan Pusat) of PDI Perjuangan (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle) since Megawati became the chairperson of PDI Perjuangan.

I have never discussed anything about state matters with Vice President Megawati since I left the Cabinet. Even when I was in the Cabinet, I only discussed matters about PDI Perjuangan with Ibu Megawati. The reason was that at that period of time, President Abdurrahman Wahid said explicitly that economy was directly under his supervision.

Since one of my activities is now studying clippings and documents to learn about my shortcomings and failures, I'll be very grateful if Dr. Arbi Sanit can show me concretely and specifically about my being supposedly unsuccessful as coordinating minister.

KWIK KIAN GIE

Jakarta