Saadilah explains new cabinet posts
Saadilah explains new cabinet posts
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has created some new posts
and dropped several others in his 1998/2003 cabinet, a
development that will be the responsibility of his aides to
explain.
New Minister/State Secretary Saadilah Mursjid pointed out that
Soeharto had set up the offices of State Minister for the
Empowerment of State Enterprises, State Minister of Food, Drugs
and Horticulture, and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
He was quoted by Antara as saying that arts and culture,
formerly under the portfolio of the Minister of Education and
Culture, is defined as those which specifically support the
development of tourism.
"The new minister will explain this particular task," Saadilah
said, dismissing reporters' suggestions that there will be an
overlap of authority between the new office and the Ministry of
Education and Culture.
Abdul Latief, former minister of manpower, will assume his new
post as Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture today. In the
previous cabinet, tourism was managed by Joop Ave as minister of
tourism, post and telecommunication. The government has yet to
say which department will be in charge of telecommunications.
When asked about a possible overlap of authority between the
Ministry of Health and the new post of State Minister of Food,
Drugs and Horticulture, Saadilah indicated there would be further
study of the matter.
He conceded the health ministry has always had a department in
charge of the development of traditional medicines. "(We'll see)
whether this field will be handled together, or whether the
department in the health ministry will be moved to the new office
of food, drugs and horticulture," he said.
He said that the new office was established to deal with the
food security question. So far, however, greater attention had
been given to the provision of rice.
"Now, attention should be given toward horticultural
development," he said.
The post is needed as Indonesia still imports raw materials
for generic drugs production. (swe)