New economics advisers appointed

JAKARTA (JP): The government has appointed four economists as advisers on various economic issues, Finance Minister Rizal Ramli said on Thursday.

Rizal said that the four included Irsan Tanjung and Wahyudi Prakarsa, both senior economists from the University of Indonesia.

He told reporters that the other two were from Gadjah Mada University and the Bogor Institute of Agriculture. However, he did not reveal their names.

It is not clear, however, whether the move will oust Widjojo Nitisastro, Frans Seda and Emil Salim from their current advisory roles.

The three are the country's most senior economists, and were considered to be the economic architects of the previous Soeharto regime.

When asked whether the four newly appointed economic advisers would replace their more senior counterparts, Rizal only replied: "Times have changed. There are new challenges, and we need fresh ideas."

Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri often invited the three senior economists to give her their comments. They were also invited to attend some Cabinet meetings chaired by Megawati.

"The three economists convinced the Vice President about the dangers of adopting a confrontational approach toward the International Monetary Fund," a vice presidential adviser told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

According to the adviser, who asked not to be named, Rizal was unhappy with her decision.(rei/prb)