Megawati in control of Cabinet lineup

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)