Marzuki installed, told to save forests

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid installed Marzuki Usman as the new Minister of Forestry on Saturday replacing Nurmahmudi Ismail who was sacked from the Cabinet on Thursday.

In his statement, Abdurrahman told Marzuki, who was minister for tourism, arts and culture under former president B.J. Habibie, to save the nation's forests saying they were part of the country's natural wealth, useful for the national economy.

"Forests should be managed well as part of the country's national resources," Abdurrahman said as quoted by Antara.

"Indonesia's vast forests must be preserved so they can function as part of the world's lungs and be used for the benefit of the national economy," he added.

The President told the new forestry minister to adjust his ministry's policies in order to take account of national economic policies.

"Our forests are part of the country's economy, thus forest management policies should be related to economic policies. This is a must," he said.

Abdurrahman noted that Indonesia's forests are the third largest in the world after Brazil and Nigeria.

He maintained that this valuable natural resource must not be divided into lots, but be preserved and used for the benefit of the entire nation not just by certain groups.

"We can not let our forests be damaged just like that, because it will disturb not only Indonesia as a nation, but the world as well," he said.

The swearing-in ceremony was led by Coordinating Minister of Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

There was no official confirmation why Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who usually takes the oaths of new Cabinet ministers or top state officials, was absent from Saturday's ceremony. Sources said that she was in Jakarta.

Nurmahmudi, former chairman of the Justice Party (PK), was sacked on Thursday, for having a different vision of forestry affairs to the President and for being unable to control his party, said defense minister Mahfud M.D.

Earlier, presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar said the appointment of Marzuki to replace Nurmahmudi had been "made with the knowledge and agreement of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri."

Meanwhile, Nurmahmudi said that he was dismissed because he had turned down Abdurrahman's order to replace the ministry's secretary-general Soeripto, who was accused by Abdurrahman of plotting to oust him.

Soeripto was reportedly working to collect evidence against timber tycoon Prajogo Pangestu, one of the three conglomerates whose legal cases have been suspended by Abdurrahman's government.

Meanwhile, Marzuki Usman said that he only knew about his appointment after being personally contacted by the President at 4 p.m. on Friday.

Marzuki, 57, who was also investment minister during the last months of Habibie's presidency, said he would prioritize efforts to prevent forest fires in Indonesia.

"It's very shameful to be annually blamed by the international community for the forest fires," he said.

Meanwhile, political observer Ichlasul Amal said on Saturday that there is no guarantee that the appointment of Marzuki Usman, as the new Minister of Forestry, could improve the government's performance.

"The replacement will, on the contrary, worsen the government's image," said Amal, who is also rector of the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University.

He said that Nurmahmudi's dismissal would encourage Muslim- oriented political parties to act more explicitly against the current government as his appointment as minister was based on political compromise.

"The decision (to dismiss Nurmahmudi) will only add to the list of government enemies.

"I think Gus Dur is being too confident. How could he do this while his government is suffering a political crisis," he said.

Amal said that the appointment of Marzuki Usman, who is considered non-partisan, would not benefit the government as the latter did not have any support from political parties. (44/imn)