President's aides 'misunderstand their position'

President's aides 'misunderstand their position'

YOGYAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's half brother and noted
businessman Probosutedjo said Saturday that many high-ranking
officials did not fully understand their position as the
President's aides.

Speaking after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Gadjah Mada
University's mosque, Probosutedjo was commenting on whether high-
ranking officials would resign over the Busang scandal.

"They (high-ranking officials) won't (resign). Most of the
time if they are told to step down, they are not willing to
resign because of their mistakes or complacence, or for something
intentional."

Probosutedjo declined to say if he was referring to the
Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana.

"I mean all high-ranking officials who are not responsible.
Why don't they know their tasks as high-ranking officials or
ministers?

"If they don't realize their position as the President's
(aides), it would be better if they refused to be appointed. They
were willing. But when there's a mistake, they put the blame on
their superior," Probosutedjo said.

Probosutedjo said the lack of understanding among officials
and ministers on the role of President's aides means "the
President often becomes the victim".

He said many officials and ministers do not take
responsibility for their mistakes.

He said this was because most high-ranking officials had been
appointed by the President and not on their own request.

He said the Busang case should be a valuable lesson, and the
President's aides should be willing to take responsibility.

Probosutedjo said there was a marked difference between the
President's aides (pembantu Presiden) and servants (pembantu
rumah tangga). The latter are only responsible for house work, he
said.

"Servants only sweep, clean rooms and the bathroom and
others," he said.

President of PT Bakrie and Brothers Tanri Abeng also joined in
the criticism over the Busang case. Speaking after a Golkar
campaign in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi yesterday, he said
Canada's Bre-X Minerals Ltd. and its consultants clearly lacked
"professional integrity" and attention to detail.

"Professional management not only relies on technical skills
and knowledge, but also integrity," he said.

"How can we progress if large projects in the world (are run
by people lacking) personal integrity?" Tanri said.

Indonesians, he said, should not easily trust outsiders and
should improve their own professionalism. (23/ste/37)