Observers and legislators divided on cabinet recruitment
Observers and legislators divided on cabinet recruitment
JAKARTA (JP): Countless criticism of the outgoing cabinet's
performance has inspired observers to call for an improvement in
the quality of ministers recruited, suggesting that they first be
screened in a House of Representatives (DPR) hearing.
Syamsudin Haris and Muhammad A.S. Hikam, political scientists
at the National Institute of Science, and Mahfud M.D., a
constitutional law expert at the Indonesian Islamic University in
Yogyakarta, support the need for thorough scrutiny of cabinet
candidates, but agree that the idea could not yet be applied due
to an unfavorable political format.
However, the idea was rejected by People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) legislators Din Syamsudin and Yusril Ihza
Mahendra, who cited the President's constitutional prerogative to
choose the cabinet.
Haris said yesterday that under the present political system,
the country's president does not have to account for his or her
cabinet's performance to the people.
"People have never been informed of the reasons why a person
is named a minister or is sacked from the cabinet, or why a
ministry is set up or liquidated," Haris said.
This lack of accountability has caused numerous cabinets to
underperform and ministers have, from time to time, evaded
certain responsibilities, instead leaving them for the president
to deal with, he added.
Alleged irregularities in the use of funds from the state-
owned social insurance company PT Jamsostek last year serve as
evidence of the lack of cabinet accountability, according to
Haris.
He suggested that future presidents consult the House when
forming a cabinet and be able to justify that nominees are a
popular choice with the people.
Mahfud agreed with Haris, saying that a process of scrutiny in
the DPR would ensure the quality and reliability of cabinet
ministers. He predicted that such a recruitment system will come
into being within the next 10 years.
Hikam begged to differ, suggesting that President Soeharto,
who will almost certainly be reelected, heed the public desire
for a cabinet capable of shielding them from further economic
adversity.
"In this time of crisis, the President should listen carefully
to the public voice and only recruit candidates who pass public
scrutiny," Hikam said.
Vetting procedures, he added, would serve as a controlling
measure for cabinet members in the future and help ensure that
they live up to public expectations. If they do not, they should
resign, he said.
Din and Yusril, on the other hand, insisted that any changes
in the procedure for establishing the cabinet would be a breach
of the Constitution.
"The Assembly must first amend the Constitution before we
adopt a new practice," said Yusril, a constitutional law expert
at the University of Indonesia.
He said that House scrutiny of ministerial candidates could
apply only in an Anglo-Saxon style system, under which the
parliament controls the government.
Din also strongly defended the Presidents monopoly on the
recruitment of assistants, saying that Soeharto had proven to be
wise enough to name the best people for the posts.
"Never think of unconstitutional changes. Who can guarantee
that a foreign system will work here? Of course President
Soeharto will listen to the people and apply a rational approach
to select his best aides," Din said.
Despite the debate, no one disagreed that the future cabinet
is in need of experts who will help President Soeharto overcome
the economic crisis. (swa/amd)