Fri, 10 Aug 2001

Observers hail Megawati's Cabinet lineup

JAKARTA (JP): Observers hailed on Thursday the new Cabinet lineup under President Megawati Soekarnoputri, but at the same time warned that there might be a major political crisis if Megawati and Vice President Hamzah Haz did not relinquish their party chairmanship.

Political observer and former senior minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that the new Cabinet, especially the economics team, was "a good beginning for Megawati's administration."

"Dorodjatun is a very good communicator, so I believe he can do a good job in leading the economics team. Boediono is also an honest man.

"So lets see what happens within the next three months as the annual People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)'s General Session will be held and there is a potential for political friction then," Sarwono said.

Sarwono, who served as minister of maritime affairs in the Abdurrahman administration, said the fact that both Megawati and Hamzah did not relinquish their party leadership might cause problems in the future.

"This is an obstacle they will have to overcome to survive," Sarwono said, adding that political parties have a tendency to get into disputes and abandon the nation's interests when they are involved in a power struggle.

Megawati is the chairwoman of the country's largest political party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), while Hamzah is chairman of the United Development Party (PPP). Both have said they would not relinquish their party post.

Political analyst Ichlasul Amal from the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University also praised the new Cabinet lineup, especially those in the economics team, but he slammed Megawati's choice of dismissed National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Matori Abdul Djalil as defense minister.

He doubted if the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police would accept Matori's assignment as minister of defense, saying Matori was a new figure to both institutions.

"Another serious question is whether Matori will be able to accommodate non-governmental organizations' protests against human rights violations," he said.

He also said the selection of Matori would be viewed by the public as the President's reward for Matori's support for the Assembly Special Session despite PKB's rejection of it.

On Faisal Tamin's appointment as minister of administrative reform, Amal said Faisal's former position as civil servants corps (KORPRI) chief could influence his policy as minister.

"The spirit of uniformity can be a serious problem for Faisal. In contrast, the affairs of the state apparatus have been changed drastically since the implementation of the law on regional autonomy," he said.

Political observer Riswandha Imawan described the new Cabinet as "too fat" as a result of the distribution of ministerial posts to political parties that supported Megawati's rise to the presidency.

Riswandha said the positions given to Matori, Bachtiar Chamsah and Said Agil Munawar were a gift from Megawati for their support.

"Matori got his position for his support for the MPR Special Session, Bachtiar Chamsah for his attack on Abdurrahman Wahid's government and Said Aqil Munawar for his statement, as a Muslim scholar, that the issue of a female president is still debatable in Islamic law," he said.

He warned that Bambang Kesowo's appointment as Cabinet secretary could also serve as a weak point for Megawati.

"Mega can be alienated from her own ministers as the door to the Cabinet ministers is guarded by Bambang," he said.

He said the current Cabinet benefited the Indonesian Military more than the political parties.

Strong portfolios and lucrative ministries, for instance, went to TNI personnel such as the home affairs and the telecommunications ministries.

This will effectively prevent further bickering among political parties over strategic positions, Amal said. (edt/44)