Mega attacks ex-ministers
Mega attacks ex-ministers
M. Taufiqurrahman and Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has criticized as disloyal her
former cabinet ministers who have resigned to run in the
presidential election, accusing them of jumping on a bandwagon.
Speaking after lodging her presidential bid with the General
Elections Commission (KPU), Megawati said a democracy needed
people prepared to sacrifice their desire for personal power for
the good of the country.
"People should know what role they play. If they fail to
understand, they're like leaping squirrels (fickle creatures) who
sacrifice the country's interests (for their own)," Megawati said
to thundering applause from her party leadership.
Megawati also questioned whether the current crop of
presidential aspirants still abided by rules and ethics in their
pursuit of political goals.
Two senior cabinet ministers -- former coordinating minister
for political and security affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and
former coordinating minister for the people's welfare Jusuf Kalla
-- earlier resigned from Megawati's multi-party cabinet to pursue
their political ambitions.
Susilo was the first of many in Cabinet to decide to run for
the presidential post in the July 5 election, with Kalla coming
in later as his running mate.
The pair nominated by the Democratic Party have been touted as
the strongest contenders in the July 5 election, ahead of
Megawati and Hasyim Muzadi for the Democratic Party of Struggle,
and Wiranto and Solahuddin Wahid for the Golkar Party.
Susilo resigned from Cabinet in March after being left in the
cold by Megawati in the decision-making process concerning
crucial security issues. His decision to resign was welcomed by
political analysts, who said staying in power would have created
a conflict of interest.
Agum Gumelar, the former minister of communications, has also
resigned his post, following his decision to join United
Development Party (PPP) presidential candidate Hamzah Haz as his
running mate.
Hamzah and Agum officially announced their bid on Wednesday in
a modest celebration at the Senayan tennis indoor stadium,
Central Jakarta, and registered with the KPU later in the
afternoon.
A retired four-star general, Agum defended his vice-
presidential bid. Teaming up with Hamzah would boost reform and
democracy in the country, he said.
The same day, Agum quit his Cabinet job after tendering a
resignation letter to President Megawati, State Secretary Bambang
Kesowo said.
Bambang said Agum's resignation would not affect the
performance of Megawati's cabinet.
"So far, several ministers have quit their jobs, but senior
ministers are able to fill in for them and the Cabinet still
performs well," he said after a meeting with the House of
Representatives Commission I on foreign affairs.
However, Vice President Hamzah did not resign from his
position as it was too vital to be left vacant, Bambang said.
"In many countries, if the incumbent president and vice
president run in the presidential election they still retain
their positions," he said.