Mega promise corruption-free Cabinet
Mega promise corruption-free Cabinet
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta
In an apparent effort to continue the anticorruption crusade
that he launched as leader of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Hasyim
Muzadi, the running mate of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, has
insisted that fighting corruption will be one of the main
priorities of a Mega-Hasyim government.
On Monday, Haysim promised that their Cabinet would "consist
of people imbued with loyalty, competence and integrity."
"I am happy to say that Ibu Megawati agrees about this," said
Hasyim, who declared he was nonactive as NU chairman when the
General Elections Commission (KPU) declared him as a vice
presidential candidate on May 22.
Addressing one of her rare press conferences, Megawati also
said that she had agreed with Hasyim not to appoint any person
tarnished by suspicions of graft to her Cabinet.
"It is part of the deal that we discussed six months ago
before we agreed to pair up as running mates," Megawati said.
Hasyim said that combating corruption should start from the
top within the Cabinet.
In October Hasyim and Syafii Ma'arif, the chairman of
Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization, pledged to
work together in a "cultural" movement to combat corruption.
With their organizations claiming a combined membership of 70
million, they said they shared the responsibility for spreading
the anticorruption message in their communities and among
religious leaders. Indonesia is among the world's most corrupt
countries.
Megawati meanwhile defended her much criticized stance on
corruption, saying that much had been done to try to bring
suspects to court. Nevertheless, the current attorney general, MA
Rachman, who has been questioned by the police for concealing
assets, has been allowed to remain in the Cabinet.
Mega and Hasyim also briefly described their program in the
economics field, which focuses on the creation of jobs, increases
in civil service salaries, improvements in education, and
reducing the number of those living under the poverty line by 45
percent.
Both leaders also promised to continue with the fight against
terrorism "within proper legal parameters."
In defense of her track record, Megawati said the situation
today was much better than it was when she was appointed
President in 2001.
"Those who say that the economy is stagnant are simply denying
the facts. There are many things that this current government has
done," she remarked.
The pair also pledged that they would not resort to smears and
insults against their rivals during the month-long presidential
campaign.
"Indonesia should prove to the world that we can practice
democracy in a peaceful manner," the President remarked.