New Cabinet to accommodate all major parties: Pramono

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)