Kesowo's Cabinet post to change
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
With President Megawati Soekarnoputri's approval of a proposal to separate his office, State/Cabinet Secretary Bambang Kesowo appears set to have his power reduced.
Deputy chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) -- and Megawati confidant -- Roy B.B. Janis revealed the plan to set up a cabinet secretariat after a Tuesday meeting with the president.
"If the party has picked candidates to fill in the (new) post, then please," Roy quoted Megawati as saying. He added, however, that party officials had not, so far, named any candidates.
The two held talks regarding the party's proposal on the separation of the state secretariat after a weekly party meeting presided over by Megawati, who is the party's chairman.
Since December, Bambang has proposed a new organizational structure for the state secretariat that would keep the current two functions in one hand.
Megawati has yet to endorse the new structure.
Roy said that PDI Perjuangan suggested the President appoint another person to take up cabinet secretariat jobs for the sake of effectiveness.
"Currently, many Cabinet ministers have complained about the delay of many coordination meetings because of the unification of the two functions," Roy said.
Bambang, who served as vice president secretary when Megawati was vice president, was promoted to State/Cabinet Secretary in Megawati's cabinet in August. At that time, the President said she would later appoint a cabinet secretary.
Having two functions under his belt, Bambang has the authority to propose guests or activities for the president, along with the ability to conduct administrative work in cabinet meetings.
In addition, he can have a hand in presidential decrees and other government regulations.
In the past, the administrative work went to the cabinet secretary.
Bambang prepared the President's speeches, official trips, and other day to day administrative duties while she was received her guests, until Megawati named Presidential Secretary Kemal Munawar two months ago.
Kemal's job mostly related to protocol affairs, including arranging meetings between the President and her guests.
Some of the PDI Perjuangan members have criticized Bambang for being "overprotective" of the president.
There have been reported disputes between Bambang and the President's husband Taufik Kiemas, a PDI Perjuangan legislator, since the beginning of Megawati's tenure as President.
Meanwhile, Taufik, a businessman, donated more cars to presidential security guards to support their mobility in conducting their duties.
After delivering 22 Hyundai sedans to support the guards' duties last week, Taufik brought them six minivans on Tuesday.
He said that he bought all the vehicles using his own money from the dozens of gas stations he owns across the capital.
Earlier, Taufik had donated four brand-new computers to the press room at the Presidential Palace in addition to furnishing some rooms at the Palace compound.