Megawati 'fully involved' in new Cabinet planning

BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asserted on Tuesday the decisive role played by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri in the intensive lobbying and discussions ahead of the announcement of the new Cabinet later this week.

Speaking to reporters after accompanying Megawati to the inauguration of the newly-renovated geology museum, Susilo, coordinator of the team of three ministers tasked with drafting the makeup of the Cabinet, said the team had met several times in the last few days with both President Abdurrahman Wahid and the Vice President.

In addition to Susilo, the team includes Minister of Regional Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid and Minister of Settlement and Territorial Development Erna Witoelar.

"We have met two times with the President and two times with the Vice President and five of us have also met together two times," Susilo said.

Megawati has been newly tasked to lead the Cabinet under a new task-sharing formula with the President, but many have said her competence remains a question.

Susilo added that with regard to the composition of the economic members in the new Cabinet, the team had sought advice from several economists and businessmen.

"We have to consider all aspects and we also have to understand what will be the fundamental issues, agenda and priorities over the next four years," Susilo said.

Abdurrahman has stated that the number of ministers in the new Cabinet would be cut to around 25 members from the previous 35.

Some senior officials hinted that the ministries under the new Cabinet would be reduced to between 15 and 17 ministries.

Later in the day, Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that he was tipped off by Ryaas that in the upcoming Cabinet his ministry would be merged with the State Ministry for Human Rights Affairs under a new name -- Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Affairs.

"After the combination, the ministry will likely have a directorate for human rights affairs and it will hand over the administration of the judicial system to the Supreme Court," he said.

Asked whether he would be reappointed to the new Cabinet, Yusril said: "Only God knows".

A source at Yusril's ministry told The Jakarta Post that he would be appointed state secretary in the new Cabinet.

Officials at his ministry said Yusril was scheduled to meet with Megawati late Tuesday at her official residence on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, to finalize the draft decree on the work-sharing arrangement between the President and the Vice President.

"We are still awaiting confirmation from Megawati's office that the meeting is going to take place tonight," an official said.

Gus Dur, as the President is also called, promised before the People's Consultative Assembly earlier this month that he would hand over the technical day-to-day running of the government to Megawati.

Yusril said that the decree would be issued together with the announcement of the new Cabinet lineup.

The announcement initially was scheduled for Aug. 21, but the President decided to delay as he needed more time to discuss the lineup with Megawati and other political leaders. (25/bby/byg)