Mega orders Cabinet members to prepare accountability reports

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Outgoing President Megawati Soekarnoputri ordered all of her Cabinet members on Wednesday to prepare detailed and accurate accountability reports so that the next government can start working immediately.

"The President says the accountability reports must be clear and detailed so that the upcoming government can begin its work immediately," acting Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Hari Sabarno said.

According to Hari, who together with Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti met Megawati for one hour on Wednesday. The President wants the reports to be completed before Oct. 20.

Megawati, who was ushered into the presidential post in 2001, would formally end her term on Oct. 20, when president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and running mate Jusuf Kalla will be sworn in.

Hari said each minister may discuss their reports with their replacement after the inauguration of the new president.

"The discussion can be done after the inauguration between the former (Megawati's) ministers and the new (Susilo's) ministers," he said.

Susilo and Kalla have several times expressed their desire to meet Megawati to discuss the transition of power but she has so far declined to meet the two.

Megawati's inner circle has been persuading her to meet Susilo, but on Tuesday she hinted that she may never meet the pair before the swearing-in ceremony.

In the meantime, Megawati has taken several controversial decisions, including the appointment of Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu as the acting Indonesian Military (TNI) chief following the resignation of Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.

Susilo will be inaugurated on Oct. 20 and is slated to reveal his Cabinet members soon after the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) swears him in.

Susilo had hinted earlier that his Cabinet would be more or less the same with the current structure, with no major changes in positions.

Meanwhile, State/Cabinet Secretary Bambang Kesowo said on Wednesday that none of Susilo's camp have contacted the palace regarding preparations for the new office, including plans for Susilo to reside at Merdeka Palace.

"But it should not be a problem as preparations will not take long because everything is in place and only needs minor adjustments," he said.