Mega may appoint Matori's substitute
Mega may appoint Matori's substitute
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to appoint either a
minister or another state official immediately in place of
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil, who is undergoing
medical treatment in Singapore.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday that he and the State
Secretary had discussed the issue with the President and proposed
that she make a decision soon.
"The President is currently considering whether to appoint an
ad interim minister or someone else to replace Pak Matori. This
issue is fully within the President's prerogative," he said.
According to Susilo, the issue must be resolved soon, because
the defense ministry must attend to many pressing tasks.
The President generally appoints an ad interim minister in
place of an incumbent minister who has gone abroad in a state
capacity.
"If the foreign minister or defense minister is absent, the
coordinating minister for political and security affairs becomes
the interim minister.
"However, the case of Defense Minister Matori is an exception,
because he is ill and needs some time to recover," Susilo said.
This will be the first time Megawati replaces a minister.
Matori, who is being treated at Mt. Elizabeth Hospital in
Singapore, was flown to the island-state from Gatot Subroto Army
Hospital after his condition deteriorated.
According to a defense ministry statement, Matori suffered a
stroke on Aug. 27, with additional complications caused by a lung
disorder, diabetes and sinusitis.
Matori's duties are currently being handled by the ministry's
director general.
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to appoint either a
minister or another state official immediately in place of
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil, who is undergoing
medical treatment in Singapore.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday that he and the State
Secretary had discussed the issue with the President and proposed
that she make a decision soon.
"The President is currently considering whether to appoint an
ad interim minister or someone else to replace Pak Matori. This
issue is fully within the President's prerogative," he said.
According to Susilo, the issue must be resolved soon, because
the defense ministry must attend to many pressing tasks.
The President generally appoints an ad interim minister in
place of an incumbent minister who has gone abroad in a state
capacity.
"If the foreign minister or defense minister is absent, the
coordinating minister for political and security affairs becomes
the interim minister.
"However, the case of Defense Minister Matori is an exception,
because he is ill and needs some time to recover," Susilo said.
This will be the first time Megawati replaces a minister.
Matori, who is being treated at Mt. Elizabeth Hospital in
Singapore, was flown to the island-state from Gatot Subroto Army
Hospital after his condition deteriorated.
According to a defense ministry statement, Matori suffered a
stroke on Aug. 27, with additional complications caused by a lung
disorder, diabetes and sinusitis.
Matori's duties are currently being handled by the ministry's
director general.