Ruling party prepares list of candidates for next cabinet

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar has prepared a list of names which it considers suitable candidates for cabinet positions, but said it would not present it unless asked for suggestions by the next president.

"We won't initiate a move to propose our people for the cabinet. But we'll be ready with a list of our most suitable cadres should the elected president asks for names," Golkar secretary-general Ary Mardjono told reporters.

But he stressed the list would only contain names and not be accompanied by the posts each individual should be assigned to.

"No, we won't present to the elected president a complete list of prospective candidates complete with their cabinet post," he said.

So far President Soeharto has not asked Golkar for a list of possible candidates for the next cabinet.

"The new president is not elected yet. How can we talk about names for the cabinet?" Ary said.

"Perhaps, after the Assembly's General Session is over," he replied when asked when these names might be required.

Golkar is not the first faction to produce a list of prospective candidates for the cabinet.

The United Development Party (PPP) faction declared last month that it had drawn up a list of people who deserved ministerial posts.

But both Golkar and PPP maintain their intention is not to try and get their respective supporters into the cabinet.

PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said the party was merely trying to give the next president ideas, rather than put pressure on him.

"We won't feel disappointed if our contribution is rejected," he said.

Ary said Golkar was not looking to gain a certain percentage of seats in the cabinet lineup.

"Golkar understands that the composition of the next cabinet is the prerogative of the elected president," he said.

He refused to reveal the names on the Golkar list but said, without elaborating, that all met the necessary criteria to be a cabinet member.

"We have chosen our best cadres for the ministerial posts," he assured, adding that only Golkar members were on the list.

Ary said the list was prepared in a descending order according to priority but he balked when pressed further to reveal even the top name on the list.

"I know but I won't tell you, who he or she is," he said.

Asked for the total number of cadres Golkar would propose to the elected president, Ary said the organization had no authority to divulge such information to the press.

Observers have predicted there will be a massive restructuring of the cabinet, especially in light of the current monetary crisis.

Reliable sources have said the next cabinet will consist of 25 ministers and ministerial-ranked officials. The outgoing cabinet consists of 41 ministers and officials.

Support is continuing to grow for the next president to include a Chinese-Indonesian in his cabinet as recognition that the ethnic group is a valued part of the nation.

The dominant Golkar is reportedly considering proposing three business tycoons to the new president. They are Anthony Salim of the Salim Group of companies, James T. Riyadi of the Lippo Group and Enggartiasto Lukito, a property businessman.

Ary dismissed speculation that the next cabinet would be dominated by members of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI).

"I don't think that ICMI members will play a dominant role as the president will be the sole decisionmaker in the cabinet lineup," he said. (imn)