Parties input on evaluation of ministers not sought

Rendi Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Political parties should restrain themselves from interfering in the performance appraisal of Cabinet members that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was now conducting, a minister says.

"Political parties have neither given input on the performance of Cabinet members nor requested more seats in the Cabinet. Input has so far come from some institutions based on professional judgment," Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi said at the State Palace on Sunday.

Sudi refused to elaborate, but emphasized that while advice from third parties would be taken into account, the President would be evaluating his aides based on his personal observations.

All Cabinet members were required to submit progress reports detailing their programs and achievements during their year in office. Susilo will score the reports.

Demands for a Cabinet reshuffle, particularly in the economic team, have mounted as Susilo marks his first year in power on Oct. 20. A survey also suggested that the President should demonstrate that he was the boss by demanding that his Vice President play a back-seat role.

Some politicians from Susilo's Democrat Party have been pushing for more seats in the Cabinet, while several United Development Party (PPP) and National Awakening Party (PKB) politicians have asked the President to replace certain ministers that they claim do not represent their parties. The Golkar Party -- Susilo's main support base -- has not officially raised the need for a reshuffle.

Susilo distributed almost a half the Cabinet seats to figures deemed as representatives of political parties that supported his presidential bid last year. Political compromise was also a hallmark of Cabinets under former presidents Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Sudi denied reports that Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono and Minister of Finance Jusuf Anwar had tendered their resignations.

"The reports are baseless," said Sudi. Both Jusuf and Juwono had earlier dismissed the reports.

While Vice President Jusuf Kalla indicated that the reshuffle might take place in November, Sudi refused on Sunday to confirm the statement.

Sudi, however, confirmed that Susilo had on Saturday invited some ministers to his private residence in Cikeas, Bogor, in relation to the performance appraisal.

However, Sudi would not elaborate on the substance of the meeting.