Poor coordination in the Cabinet

Poor coordination in the Cabinet

Word has it that political parties represented in the Cabinet are vying with each other for control of our state-owned companies (BUMN). Unconfirmed reports even mention the existence of brokers offering strategic positions to politicians, obviously at a fee.

Reliable information on the issue is so far unavailable, but a conclusion may possibly be drawn from a statement made by finance minister Bambang Sudibyo at the Jan. 13 installation of Cacuk Sudarijanto as the new head of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). Top government positions, according to the minister, are political appointments and power-sharing is what politics is all about.

It could be that the minister's candor was inspired by President Abdurrahman Wahid's style of governing. But it is precisely for this reason that establishing better coordination within the Cabinet is important to end the public's confusion.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta