New Cabinet to accommodate all major parties: Pramono
JAKARTA (JP): Officials of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) confirmed on Thursday the new Cabinet lineup would represent all of the political powers in the House of Representatives.
The party's deputy secretary-general, Pramono Anung, said the proportional representation of political parties in the Cabinet would be aimed at maintaining political stability.
Pramono was quick to add that the economics ministries would be the exceptions.
"The ministerial posts that relate to the economy will be given to professionals, because economic recovery will be the priority of the new government," Pramono said after the election of Hamzah Haz as the new vice president.
Pramono underlined that it was necessary to place nonpartisan experts in the economics ministries so they could concentrate fully on the economic recovery program.
"The new economics ministers are going to form a dream team," Pramono remarked.
The chairman of the PDI Perjuangan faction at the People's Consultative Assembly, Sophan Sophiaan, echoed Pramono's statements, saying the next Cabinet would reflect the power sharing between the major political parties.
"Power sharing will maintain the stability of the new government. So everybody can work together in getting the country out of its current hardship," Sophan said.
He further said the new Cabinet lineup would be announced within days because the new government had to present its proposed state budget for the 2002 fiscal year.
Megawati was sworn in as the country's fifth president after the Assembly revoked the mandate of former president Abdurrahman Wahid on Monday.
Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung expressed his readiness to propose candidates for the Cabinet.
"If the nation's new leaders ask Golkar to join the Cabinet, of course I will provide them with the best candidates from our party. But so far we have not been invited to discuss the formation of the Cabinet," Akbar said.
Outgoing Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Agum Gumelar also said he was ready to serve in the new government.
"I do not know yet, but if they need me I am ready to help," Agum said after congratulating the new national leadership duo of President Megawati and Vice President Hamzah at the vice presidential office on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta.
Sources close to Megawati told The Jakarta Post the Cabinet would consist of about 30 ministers, including two who will lead the ministries of information and social affairs, which were dissolved by Abdurrahman.
The National Mandate Party (PAN) will likely be awarded two or three ministerial posts, with former minister of finance Bambang Sudibyo and PAN secretary-general Hatta Radjasa tipped among the candidates.
It remains unclear how many ministerial posts will be given to the Golkar Party and Hamzah's United Development Party (PPP).
Other names touted for ministerial posts include former National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Matori Abdul Djalil, Agum and vice presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The PDI Perjuangan members who look likely to join the Cabinet include Pramono, former coordinating minister for the economy Kwik Kian Gie and former state minister of investment Laksamana Sukardi.
When asked if he would accept an offer to join Megawati's Cabinet, Susilo said: "This country has been waiting a long time for a recovery. If President Ibu Megawati asked me to serve in her Cabinet, I would contemplate whether I could work effectively for the country or not." (dja/tso)