Megawati in control of Cabinet lineup

JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri is keeping the construction of her Cabinet closely under wraps, including from her own party, making it a point that any decisions and initiatives are her own.

Meeting with central board executives of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the party she chairs, Megawati sent a clear message: the Cabinet is her show and no one can intrude!

During Tuesday's meeting here, she shunned any talk of the possible Cabinet lineup, drawing a strict line between her role as president and party chief.

PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Soetjipto, in a press briefing after the meeting, said that the President was carefully keeping the Cabinet lineup under wraps.

"All major political parties, and even us, can only give her inputs. After that she never discusses anything with us or the leaders of the other major political parties," Soetjipto said adding that "this is something that you never expected."

"Actually, none of us know anything about the selection of the Cabinet, as ibu is the only person who will make the final choice," he remarked.

Even Taufik Kiemas, Megawati's husband, during a visit to Jambi claimed that he was not part of the decision-making process.

"I'm not involved ... I don't know exactly the names or the number of ministers," he insisted.

The selection of the Cabinet is the president and vice president's business, he said as quoted by Antara.

Golkar Party chief Akbar Tandjung also maintained here on Tuesday that "political party leaders know nothing about who will be appointed as ministers."

He added that "it might be a good idea" for party leaders to be told ahead of the official announcement.

Without giving details, Akbar confirmed that Golkar had submitted "a lot of names" for ministerial portfolios compared to other parties.

"But I did not specifically mention positions, we'll leave that up to the President," he said.

The usual speculation and rumor mill around the capital has been working overtime in the past week guessing who will get what on Thursday, the expected announcement date of the all-important Cabinet under Megawati.

In an increasing show of confidence and authoritativeness, Megawati, by her actions, has made it a point of showing that the lineup selection will be her prerogative, and her's alone.

During the meeting on Tuesday, Megawati warned her aides that just because she is party chairperson, this was no reason for assuming that the Cabinet would be replete with PDI Perjuangan members.

In what could prove to be an ominous sign for the party, she urged party members to avoid a power grab for Cabinet seats.

"Ibu Megawati asked party members not to join in the tussle for seats at the cabinet table and underlined that she knew the appropriate place for each member," Soetjipto said.

According to Soetjipto, Megawati instead asked the party to focus on the 2004 general election, and that it would be better for the party to support the current government through the legislature.

"Many of the party's members may be disappointed with the decision, but we accept whatever the President decides to do," he said while admitting that the party had initially put forward several names.

According to PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung, the lineup was 99 percent complete.

"We only urged her not to include ministers who served with former president Abdurrahman Wahid, as their loyalty might be questionable," Pramono said, stressing particularly those ministers from Abdurrahman's Cabinet who lobbied the major parties in search of a political compromise.

However, Pramono was reticent when asked point blank whether this meant that coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs Agum Gumelar and his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would thus be excluded.

"Well, the two of them did not actively participate in Abdurrahman's team. But, we do not know about them. Basically, you'll be surprised with the names," Pramono said without elaborating further.

The Cabinet is expected to have three coordinating ministers, with a former ministry, the social affairs ministry, being revived.

The major political parties have submitted the names of their candidates for ministerial office.

The Golkar Party has reportedly submitted 10 names, the United Development Party (PPP) three -- Alimarwan Hanan, Bachtiar Chamsyah and Soeripto -- while the National Mandate Party (PAN) has submitted two names -- Sudibyo and Hatta Radjasa.

Separately, Vice President Hamzah Haz during a visit to Medan, North Sumatra, cautioned the public not to expect too much too soon.

He stressed that improvements in the economic and security situations would take time.

"Security has to be improved first, without that the economy cannot be revived," he said.

Expressing his full support for President Megawati, Hamzah stressed that he was really hopeful the new Cabinet could bring about change in the country. (dja/42)