Kalla supports Boediono's entry to Cabinet

Kalla supports Boediono's entry to Cabinet

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite differences on some issues, President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla are of the same opinion
that calling up former minister Boediono back to the Cabinet is
needed to boost the government's performance in the economic
field.

While it remains unclear which ministerial post Boediono will
hold, presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said on Saturday
the Cabinet reshuffle would be announced at the State Palace in
the presence of both the President and Vice President.

"It's a state event which requires the attendance of both the
President and Vice President," Andi said. "The President will
wait for the Vice President (to announce the reshuffle)."

Susilo retreated to his private residence in the Cikeas area
near Bogor, West Java, on Saturday, while Kalla was still in
Surabaya after opening the Association of Chinese Indonesian
Muslims (PITI) conference on Friday night.

In a press conference at Polonia Airport in Medan on Friday,
Susilo said he would unveil the new Cabinet lineup in the next
two or three days.

A source close to the President said Boediono's appointment
had been privately discussed between Susilo and Kalla, who also
chairs the Golkar Party, which controls the largest number of
seats in the House of Representatives.

One of Kalla's aides said the Vice President immediately
supported Susilo's choice of Boediono, saying the market would
accept the former finance minister's comeback.

The aide would not confirm if Susilo had specifically
discussed with Kalla which ministerial post would suit Boediono.

Boediono is known as among the architects of the country's
quick rebound after the financial crisis in 1997. Both Boediono
and Susilo served as ministers in the previous government.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice
Party (PKS), two strategic allies of Susilo, have expressed
support for Boediono's appointment.

PAN leader Soetrisno Bachir said Boediono had "passed the
tests" and was an ideal choice for the finance minister's post.
"He's very prudent and has achievements," said Soetrisno.

With the Cabinet reshuffle drawing near, Golkar expressed
hopes the President would accept the party's nomination of
Gorontalo Governor Fadel Muhammad as a minister.

"Fadel is one of Golkar's best members. He has led Gorontalo
to fast growth," said Golkar deputy chairman Agung Laksono,
quoted by Antara, during a visit to the province.

Agung refused to specify which ministerial post would suit
Fadel, who is a former businessman, saying "the placement is the
right of the President and Vice President."

Boediono made his first public appearance since the President
unveiled his possible recruitment to the Cabinet when he
addressed Indonesian Science Academy scholars on economic
stabilization measures on Saturday.

Boediono said harmony between economic and political policies,
a cohesive and competent economic team, and good governance were
among the conditions the country required to obtain economic
stability.