Ryaas Rasyid firm on quitting cabinet

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Administrative Reforms Ryaas Rasyid reasserted his personal desire to quit the cabinet early this month.

Ryaas said he had asked for an appointment to be scheduled with President Abdurrahman Wahid to officially tender his resignation from the cabinet.

"I don't know the precise date I officially leave the cabinet because it will depend on the president's availability to receive me so I can hand over the letter of resignation," he said, adding that he had already written a resignation letter in December.

Ryaas further revealed that he had also consulted with Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais and House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung regarding his decision.

"I consulted with the vice president on Dec. 26, and she gave her support after listening to all the reasons behind my decision," he said at his residence on Saturday while adding that he is keen to go back to teaching, particularly back at the State Administration Institute (IIP).

Ryaas declined to be forthright on his reasons for resigning saying only: "I can't understand Gus Dur and the way he leads the administration. I'll give an explanation in detail later."

Ryaas added that he had a moral obligation to complete his main duty on the restructurization program in the bureaucracy and his office during the 2000 fiscal year that ended in December and that is why he is resigning in the New Year.

Ryaas, a key figure in drafting regional autonomy, also hinted that his resignation from the cabinet was related with his disappointment over preparations for the decentralization plan.(rms)