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)