Proposing a cabinet

Amid the hectic days of campaigning, a few of the presidential candidates have vowed to announce their proposed cabinet prior to July 5.

For democratic countries heading toward an election, such announcements are normal. In this way, parties allow voters to make a decision based on who would hold ministerial and other key posts.

This assures voters that they are making an informed decision. Also, on many occasions, would-be ministers are involved in the campaign.

In Indonesia at present, proposing a cabinet is problematic as the bill on the state ministry is still being deliberated by the House of Representatives (DPR). It is likely that the bill won't be passed until after the election as a special committee for the bill has just been formed.

Under the bill, which has been enthusiastically awaited, the cabinet would be slimmer than it is at present. The enactment of the bill would mean that the president elect could not change or "shake-up" the cabinet, as has previously been the case.

The selection of certain competent individuals as ministers would be based on the bill, which determines only around 23 ministerial posts, compared to the present 30.

Unfortunately, candidates intending to announce a possible cabinet, will have to wait until the precise number of ministers and nomenclatures of the bill are known. But, at the very least, candidates should propose a cabinet not too dissimilar from the bill's contents.

Surely, in letting people know which ministers would comprise the next cabinet, voters won't be buying a "pig in a poke".

M. RUSDI Jakarta