New ministers comment on appointment

JAKARTA (JP): The new Cabinet ministers had differing views and comments on their appointment. The following are excerpts of what they said:

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

I was watching television when the President read out the lineup of the new Cabinet. I will be back in the office soon.

(Susilo Bambang is mourning the death of his father, who passed away seven days ago.)

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti:

She (President Megawati Soekarnoputri) asked for my opinion (on who should become the finance minister), and I said it would be better if I knew the person. But that's totally the President's prerogative and I had nothing to do with the decision.

I am very happy that Pak Boediono was appointed and I admire him for his capabilities. I remember his warm smile and patience.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Yusuf Kalla

Don't associate our office with floods and other natural disasters. We will deal more with finding ways to improve people's welfare. And this can be pursued by building better economic, social and political infrastructure.

Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno:

I've spent more then six years as a legislator so I know how to deal with the House of Representatives. When I was the chairman of House Commission II for home and legal affairs, I used to work with the home affairs minister.

I have to learn a lot in dealing with the series of disintegration problems facing the country and to pay attention to the role of justice in economics, politics and welfare for the people.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nur Hassan Wirayuda:

As a professional and career diplomat, I am honored to have been given the chance to occupy this position.

The country will maintain ASEAN as the cornerstone of our foreign policy. Regaining the country's tarnished image and attracting investors will be the other main objectives that I will have to concentrate on.

Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil

As the civilian who will lead "the Indonesian generals' headquarters," I will soften the dichotomy between civilians and military. We must believe that the military has sacrificed in many things, including in the recent dispute among civilian politicians.

It will not be hard for me to command the generals as I'm a nine-star general. (He is referring to the nine-star symbol of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, which Matori is affiliated with).

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra:

I know there will be difficult tasks ahead of me. I was at the ministry before and I know that we have very limited human resources, facilities and a poor system in dealing with justice and human rights.

I am going to first concentrate on improving the country's legal system.

Minister of Finance Boediono:

I feel just fine. I felt that I couldn't turn down an offer coming straight from the President, and I believe that we all should support this new government.

One of my priorities is to draw up the draft budget for 2002, review its key assumptions and secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The new Cabinet shouldn't just be market-friendly, but also journalist-friendly.

Minister of Industry and Trade Rini Mariani Sumarno Soewandi:

I need time to study all this and create a policy. Our ultimate aim, I think, is to get out of the economic rut that we are in, so therefore we cannot rush into creating a program.

We must remember that the program needs to be supported by strong exports, and we know that our exports are suffering from a decline. We have to study which sectors are competitive for exports.

Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Agum Gumelar

I will be the chief of servants as the slogan of my ministry goes, and I will give the best service to the people.

Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea:

I want to provide a friendly environment for businessmen and employees, so that the country can once again become a place for investment.

Improving the whole system of the Indonesian migrant worker program will also be another point that I will concentrate on. I do not want to see anymore of our workers victimized while they are working.

Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi:

I will continue my job as the health minister. I want everybody to have access to a community-based health care system, and I will propose a bill that can help all citizens join a health care program or social security program, so that everyone will have health insurance.

Minister of National Education Abdul Malik Fajar

There are still many things to do, including bridging the wide gap between education in the regions and the government's core and stopping the discrimination of people with different abilities.

The government should also change its fiscal policy which only concentrates on the production of goods and services and not on investing in people, so we can have strong human resources.

Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah:

Dealing with displaced people and victims of natural disasters across the country will be my main priority.

The Ministry of Social Affairs will not act as a Santa Claus that only distributes gifts, but I will empower people to finally help themselves.

I sincerely ask the people to help me in dealing with street children and overcoming the problems of poverty because of continuing economic hardship.

State Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Alimarwan Hanan:

We all know that most poor people count on cooperatives. So we hope to get the ministry to do the best thing for the people.

State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim

I have this thought that the legal approach is not the only way to force businesses to protect the environment. There are alternative ways and they may be more effective. We have to find those alternatives. One of them might be implementing a rating system for industries and how they treat pollution.

State Minister of Women's Empowerment Sri Redjeki Soemarjoto

I will continue the work that has been started by my predecessor and will fight for women's welfare in terms of their social, political and also their health rights.

State Minister of Communications and Information Syamsul Muarif:

Now we have a state ministry of communications and information. I cannot reveal the job description as there will be a presidential decree on that. Two things are certain though, and I will continue establishing friendship and cooperation with the media.

Hopefully, we will maintain good relations and communication. All citizens in remote places should have the opportunity to obtain information. I would appreciate the public's suggestions in regards to free access to information. (team)