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)