Megawati selects Cabinet members at very last moment
People initially questioned the independence of President Megawati Soekarnoputri in selecting her Cabinet, and ensuring it was free from various undue influences and pressures. However, when the line-up was announced, it showed clearly that Megawati was firmly in control. This article by The Jakarta Post's Kornelius Purba, describes the jostling among those attempting to catch Megawati's one day before the Cabinet was announced on Thursday.
JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri's discretion and self-confidence in selecting her Cabinet members reminded many of the strategy frequently used by former president Soeharto in selecting his ministerial team, even though she faced a much tougher situation as regards political parties haggling for position.
One day before the Cabinet announcement on Thursday, even a powerful politician like Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais failed to get the latest information about the Cabinet composition from Vice President Hamzah Haz.
Amien was reportedly shocked when he received information that Megawati had decided to maintain Purnomo Yusgiantoro as minister of energy and mineral resources. Amien had wanted to see his friend and fellow executive of his National Mandate Party, M. Hatta Radjasa, being appointed to the lucrative position.
Many politicians and senior government officials came to her official residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, or to the office of her secretary Bambang Kesowo in Merdeka Selatan Palace to promote themselves as suitable candidates for ministerial office.
An inside source from Bambang's office said that some of the visitors to Bambang's office even insisted that the President had assured them of certain posts in the Cabinet.
"They insisted they were telephoned by the President's adjutant to contact Pak Bambang," said the source, who asked not to be identified.
Two senior officials from the Ministry of Transportation and one from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights had also called the office and openly asked about their chances of being appointed to the Cabinet.
Bambang himself was likely the first person of the 32-member Cabinet whom the President appointed. A few days before the announcement, Megawati summoned him and told him to take charge of the State Secretariat.
The day before the announcement, a The Jakarta Post staff writer was waiting at Bambang's office for an interview.
Suddenly Deputy Attorney General Soeparman rushed in and plumped down right down into the chair where the Post's staff writer had placed his new laptop -- it was too late to stop him.
Bambang's secretary looked confused when Soeparman said he had an appointment with his boss. "Is there any special message for me?" a curious Soeparman asked.
Then there was a call from Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti who informed Bambang that he had arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 10 a.m. that morning. Bambang earlier contacted Dorodjatun when he was in transit at Changi Airport, Singapore.
"I can confirm Dorodjatun's appointment to you," Bambang told the Post. He smiled broadly when asked about Boediono who was later appointed minister of finance.
Bambang's four deputies, including Gunawan Sumodiningrat, could not hide their nervousness when they were summoned by Bambang. Gunawan at that time was tipped to head the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).
"My first interview will be with your newspaper if the rumor is right," Gunawan promised. In the end, none of the deputies were appointed to the Cabinet team.
Former foreign minister Ali Alatas also called Bambang because Megawati wanted to meet with the respected diplomat. Alatas was told to go to Megawati's residence.
"If there is no problem with his health, the President would prefer Alatas to be in charge of foreign affairs," said an official.
At 1 p.m., Bambang met with Megawati. At the time, Megawati had reportedly made up her mind to appoint Rini M.S. Soewandi as minister of industry and trade and Laksamana to be in charge for state-owned enterprises.
While selecting her Cabinet, Megawati on that day also signed an official letter to Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, thanking him for his congratulations. Megawati will visit Singapore on Aug. 26 and fly to Kuala Lumpur on the same day.
Bambang then telephoned U.S. envoy Robert S. Gelbard. They met at Bambang's office at 4 p.m. Megawati reportedly wanted to visit Washington next month but only if the White House officially issued an invitation to her.
At 5 p.m., Bambang accompanied the President to her meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz. The presidential decree on the appointment of the Cabinet however was only typed up at 3 a.m. on Thursday, just a few hours before Megawati's announcement.