President denies rumors of Cabinet shake-up

President denies rumors of Cabinet shake-up

JAKARTA (JP): Palace officials on Thursday denied speculation
that President Abdurrahman Wahid will reshuffle his cabinet in
the New Year as a result of the Sunday Christmas eve bombings.

"There's no suspicion at all of any involvement by government
members. There will be no reshuffle linked to this incident,"
presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar told a news briefing.

In September, Abdurrahman sacked national police chief General
Rusdihardjo following a spate of bombings in the capital.

The statement came as Abdurrahman had also told the last
Cabinet meeting of the year last week that there would be no
Cabinet reshuffle.

There has been much speculation that several Cabinet members
are planning to tender their resignation because of their
disappointment over Abdurrahman's erratic style of running the
country.

Among those who are said to be ready to resign is State
Minister for Administrative Reforms Ryaas Rasyid who admitted
earlier this month that he may resign early next year.

Ryaas, who was tasked by Abdurrahman with restructuring the
cabinet in August together with Coordinating Minister for
Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
and Minister of Settlements and Regional Infrastructure Erna
Witoelar, was said to be disappointed as some of his policies had
been unilaterally canceled by the President.

Wimar also said Thursday that Abdurrahman is due to deliver a
nationally-televised year-end message on Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, Antara reported Wednesday that Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri will leave for Saudi Arabia on Friday to
perform a minor pilgrimage after which she will visit
Switzerland, Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Megawati is scheduled to return home on Jan. 9. (byg)