No nepotism in cabinet recruitment: Tutut

No nepotism in cabinet recruitment: Tutut

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana defended herself and fellow ministers from speculation that they were recruited because of their closeness to the President.

The new minister of social services told a media briefing at her office that her appointment was entirely the President's decision. She revealed that her father had tried to recruit her five years ago, but she refused.

"I asked Bapak (Soeharto) to skip my name from the cabinet lineup (this time around). Yet, he insisted that I accept his wish," said Hardijanti, who is better known as Mbak Tutut.

"You cannot refuse my request because the country is now in a crisis," she quoted her father as saying.

"And I want all my family members to help me perform my state duties and settle the crisis," Soeharto further said.

Hardijanti said Soeharto had told her to be emotionally prepared and brace herself for criticism over her appointment.

"You have to be able to control your emotions over people's criticism," Soeharto said as quoted by Hardijanti. "You only need to prove to the people that I am not wrong in choosing you for the post."

She said Soeharto also told her that being a cabinet minister was not an easy job.

"Bapak told me that being a cabinet minister does not mean that I will only sit on a soft and comfortable chair and do nothing," she said. "He told me that I have to work hard to help him with his duties."

She dismissed speculation that her appointment was part of a long-term strategy for her future career.

"I have repeatedly been reminded by Bapak not to seek profit or reward for what I have done, but only to work hard," she said.

Hardijanti said she sought people's support as well as God's blessings so she could perform her ministerial duties and help the President.

"Otherwise, it'll be impossible for the President, the cabinet and the nation to survive the crisis," she said.

Speaking about her short-term targets, Hardijanti said her office was working on a Social Solidarity Campaign.

She said the program would mobilize and coordinate funds from senior government officials. The funds will be used to help deal with the increasing layoffs due to the prolonged monetary crisis.

"President Soeharto has agreed to donate one year's salary to the program, while all cabinet ministers have agreed to contribute their one-year basic salaries for the same purpose," she said.

She said that she and the other cabinet ministers were committed to clean and good governance.

"We have reported our personal wealth to the state," she said, adding that it was part of a move against corruption and collusion by the cabinet ministers.

Hardijanti, also president of the Citra Group, also said she would relinquish all her business positions.

"In compliance with the Constitution that a cabinet minister is not supposed to hold any auxiliary positions or open a business, I will release all my posts in the Citra Lamtoro Gung group of companies," she said.

Asked whether she had picked her replacement, Hardijanti said: "No, I have not decided yet." (imn)