New ministers comment on appointment

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)