Minister/State Secretary installs deputy, assistants

Minister/State Secretary installs deputy, assistants

JAKARTA (JP): Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung swore in
Let. Gen. (ret) Toni Hartono as his deputy and six other
assistants in a brief ceremony at the State Secretariat offices
yesterday.

Akbar pointed out Toni had been assigned to coordinate all
activities at the secretariat in order to enable the former to
concentrate on more strategic work.

Akbar said that he frequently had to accompany President
Habibie around the country, adding: "We have felt for a long time
that it would be necessary to employ a senior official to
coordinate the State Secretariat's activities."

Akbar also installed Yusril Ihza Mahendra, a presidential
speech writer, as his assistant for special assignments; Ahmad
Watik Pratiknya as assistant for state affairs and non-
departmental state agencies; and Gono Sugrino for inter-state
institute relations.

Other new assistants are Sofian Effendi for supervision and
integrated policy affairs; Dewi Fortuna Anwar for foreign
affairs; and Saafroedin Bahar for matters pertaining to national
cohesion and unity.

After his election as Golkar chairman last month, Akbar said
he would appoint a senior deputy to enable him to distribute his
time fairly between his various commitments.

Toni is not a newcomer to the State Secretariat. He previously
assisted Moerdiono and Saadilah Mursjid, two of Akbar's
predecessors.

He was also former chief secretary of Golkar's Board of
Patrons. The board was chaired by former president Soeharto until
it was dissolved by Golkar last month. (prb)