President to hold his Cabinet's first session
President to hold his Cabinet's first session
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to
preside over his first plenary Cabinet meeting on Wednesday
morning at Bina Graha presidential office, Coordinating Minister
for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie said.
Speaking after meeting with Abdurrahman at the State Guest
House, Kwik said the Cabinet would discuss several major
subjects, including the formation of the National Economic
Council.
Kwik indicated that the situation faced by the Cabinet was
actually not as bad as previously expected, including on food
supply and budgetary problems.
"Our social condition has been stable, and our political
situation has also been stable," Kwik said.
Palace officials said the Cabinet meeting is scheduled to last
three hours and would be attended by all 35 Cabinet members.
Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to assume an
important role in the Cabinet due to Abdurrahman's sight problem,
they said.
Megawati will also be fully in charge of government activities
for five days, as the President is expected to depart to
Singapore on Friday as part of his introductory visit to
neighboring member states of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN).
Abdurrahman is also scheduled to visit Malaysia and the
Philippines.
Sources also said that following his visit to Manila,
Abdurrahman would take a private trip to the United States for
medical treatment on his waning eyesight.
However, there is still no official confirmation about his
schedule, as the presidential household chief, Kemal Munawar, is
still touring the state capitals to arrange the details of the
working visits.
"What we know is that the President will likely be accompanied
by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab and State
Secretary Ali Rahman," one official said.
Apart from his overseas trip, the President also plans to move
to his official residence at Merdeka Palace this month from his
temporary residence at the State Guest House.
Megawati has moved to her official residence in Jl.
Diponegoro, Central Jakarta. (prb)