Legislators pledge support for new Cabinet
JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) threw their weight behind the new gotong royong (mutual help) Cabinet under President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung assured that the Cabinet had the full support of the legislature while MPR speaker Amien Rais praised the new Cabinet lineup as "highly positive".
"The composition of the Cabinet is in line with what people had generally hoped for," said Akbar, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, whose faction at the DPR is the second largest after that of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI- P).
He added that he was happy with the balance in the new Cabinet, which was divided equally between politicians and professionals.
Akbar was speaking at a media briefing held shortly after the announcement of the new Cabinet lineup, which was witnessed on television by about 50 journalists and several Golkar Party members in Akbar's office at DPR.
Shouts of joy greeted the naming of three Golkar Party members by President Megawati Soekarnoputri, namely Jusuf Kalla as coordinating minister for people's welfare affairs, Syamsul Mu'arif as the state minister of communications and information and Sri Redjeki Soemarjoto as the state minister of women's empowerment. Also in the room were Golkar Party members' Bomer Pasaribu and Setya Novanto.
Syamsul is Golkar Party's faction chief in the DPR while Sri Redjeki is secretary-general of the House.
Both Akbar and Syamsul kissed Sri Redjeki good luck immediately after the announcement.
"I'm very happy that the President has bestowed great trust on several Golkar Party members and we give our full support to this Cabinet. We hope this Cabinet can work together as a team as it is named gotong royong (mutual help)," Akbar said.
Akbar said that Golkar had recommended several former Cabinet ministers, such as former minister of mines and energy Purnomo Yusgiantoro, for the new Cabinet.
"Ibu President responded to our suggestions really well," Akbar added.
Separately, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais told a joint Assembly leaders' media conference that he was personally disappointed because one of his candidates, Bambang Sudibyo, failed to reenter the Cabinet. Bambang was nominated for the post of finance minister.
"But I am quite happy as the much-awaited Cabinet has finally been formed. I have to advance the nation's interests. I'm sure that the people, the market as well as related foreign countries will welcome this positively," said Amien, who is also the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN).
The media conference was held shortly after the Cabinet announcement, which was witnessed by MPR leaders on television.
Also attending the session were Assembly deputy speakers Hari Sabarno, who has just been appointed minister of home affairs, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Husnie Thamrin and Nazri Adlani.
"You are going to ask me ... whether I'm disappointed because my nominee (Bambang) was not selected for the Cabinet. I'm telling you it's normal to be disappointed, but such feelings are replaced by this great Cabinet. I am very positive about this Cabinet," Amien said.
Amien further expressed confidence that the new Cabinet would work together in solving the nation's problems, especially on economic recovery and security matters.
He also praised both Assembly deputy chiefs, Hari Sabarno from the TNI/Police faction and Matori Abdul Djalil from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction.
"Pak Hari Sabarno will do great things as minister of home affairs and I believe Pak Matori will also be a good minister of defense," Amien said.
He further said that the MPR status of both Hari and Matori would soon be changed in accordance with Assembly regulations.
"The TNI/Police faction can submit a replacement while, in Pak Matori's case, once the PKB faction actively resumes activities in the Assembly, they can submit a replacement during the next MPR general session," Amien said.
Similarly, Ginandjar Kartasasmita praised the Cabinet's economic team.
"The economic team is comprised of figures who have high credentials on both academic and professional matters. Pak Dorodjatun is a highly respected professor and also a former ambassador to the U.S. We also have figures like Pak Boediono who has a strong background at Bappenas (National Development Planning Board) and Bank Indonesia, so hopefully we'll do just fine," Ginandjar said.
Ginandjar was former coordinating minister for the economy in Habibie's administration and also served as minister of mines and energy during the Soeharto era. (edt)