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)