Mega considers having spokesperson

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is considering appointing a spokesperson in response to criticism over conflicting statements that have come out of her Cabinet.

State Minister for Communications and Information Syamsul Mu'arif said the issue had been discussed twice at Cabinet meetings.

"The President is considering the matter," Syamsul said during a hearing with House of Representatives Commission I for information and state secretariat affairs on Monday.

During a Sept. 11 hearing with the commission, legislators suggested the President appoint an official spokesperson to avoid conflicting statements from her ministers.

Syamsul said for the time being the President would assign a coordinating minister and related ministers to brief the press following every Cabinet meeting. --JP