Megawati's Cabinet

The market may react positively to the composition of the economic team in the new Cabinet, however, this alone is not enough. In the long term, a thorough understanding of the existing political realities -- the consensus that has been reached among political parties to respect the new Cabinet and the government until 2004 -- will be vital.

It is quite natural for the political parties to insist on having their members sit on the Cabinet. It is natural for them to vent their unhappiness or anger in the process of negotiation, however, the moment the Cabinet is announced, they must all respect the (President's) decision. This is one aspect of political culture that our elite has so far not been able to display.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta