Minister downplays malcontent for being 'uninvited'

Minister downplays malcontent for being 'uninvited'

Tiarma Siboro and
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono downplayed on Wednesday his recently publicized
disgruntlement with President Megawati Soekarnoputri, and said he
would remain and continue his duties as a member of her Cabinet.

"I have cleared some concerns with the President as to why I
wasn't invited to several meetings, including those on electoral
preparations. Frankly, it was nothing serious," Susilo said on
the sidelines of a discussion held by the National Resilience
Institute (Lemhannas).

He did not say when he met Megawati or what reasons the
President gave in regards his concerns.

Susilo's malcontent was brought to light last week when a
ministerial staffer disclosed his boss' complaint over his
exclusion from several important meetings held at the
presidential palace and Megawati's official residence on Jl.
Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta.

Susilo said on Wednesday that he was still in China when the
President invited relevant ministries under his supervision to a
meeting on electoral preparations, which resulted in a plan to
visit several provinces, including Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

"I did not receive an invitation, even when these state
officials made the visits. Some asked me whether I felt isolated.
I said no, but of course, I needed to seek a clarification from
the President, so I did," Susilo said.

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) senior
executive and Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas slammed the
retired Army general on Tuesday, calling him "childish" for
"having complained to the media about his problems in the
Cabinet, instead of going to the President".

Earlier, the PDI-P had criticized Susilo's appearance on TV
commercial spots making an appeal for a peaceful election in his
capacity as the top security minister.

PDI-P deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung said the ads had
violated political ethics because "Susilo has ... a political
interest, as he plans to run for president".

Indonesia will hold its first ever direct presidential
election on July 5, and Susilo has been tipped as one of the
strongest contenders.

Demands for Susilo's resignation have been voiced by the PDI-P
camp since September, following rumors about the minister's
informal meeting with former president BJ Habibie in Germany en
route to the United States to an antiterrorism summit.

The meeting sparked anger among party executives, who
suggested to Megawati that she dismiss Susilo on the grounds that
the German trip did not fall within his state duties.

Meanwhile, Vice President Hamzah Haz underlined that none of
the incumbent ministers were being sidelined, as the government
expected these ministers to fulfill their state duties.

"If Susilo felt that he was being isolated, he should have
gone to the President and discussed it," Hamzah said as quoted by
Antara.