SBY's Cabinet coming soon

SBY's Cabinet coming soon

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is preparing himself for a busy time
forming his administration after the Constitutional Court
declared him the undisputed winner of the presidential election
on Thursday.

Susilo said he and his running mate Jusuf Kalla had been
trying, to no avail thus far, to consult with outgoing president
Megawati Soekarnoputri to ensure a peaceful transition period
before taking office on Oct. 20.

"With the Constitutional Court declaring the election result
final, we will be able to move forward to form the government,
select Cabinet members, determine our program in the first 100
days and, God willing, build communication with Ibu (Megawati) to
enable the transition period to run peacefully," Susilo said on
Thursday after visiting the grave of the country's first vice
president Mohammad Hatta at Tanah Kusir cemetery in South
Jakarta.

Most of the transfers of power in the country's history have
been less than smooth.

Susilo's statement came despite the fact that Megawati had not
openly conceded defeat.

"Communication is important because the problem now is not
concerned with Ibu Megawati, but democracy and the future of the
nation and people," Susilo said.

Susilo has been waiting for a meeting with Megawati for talks
on various state issues and strategic policies that his
administration should pursue. Megawati has not given a sign as to
whether the meeting would materialize.

Megawati, whose defeat was announced by the General Elections
Commission on Monday, had until Thursday at 4:20 p.m. to contest
the election result with the Constitutional Court, but she did
not.

"Even if we cannot hold talks with Ibu Megawati, we will go
ahead with our plan because after October 20 the mandate will be
in our hands. We don't want to dissatisfy the people who have put
their trust in us," he said.

Susilo did not go into detail about the way he would form his
Cabinet, but one advisor, Suko Sudarso, explained that the
president-elect would invite candidates for the 32 ministerial
posts to his private residence in Bogor beginning Sunday.

Suko said Susilo would appoint a coordinating minister for
justice and legislation in addition to the three existing
coordinating minister posts; for the economy, political and
security affairs and people's welfare.

"Beginning from Oct. 10, Pak Susilo will not receive guests in
his residence other than those who are officially invited to come
for an interview with him," Suko said.

There will be three or four candidates for each ministerial
post, with each candidate required to elaborate on his or her
program during the interview with Susilo.

Asked whether Kalla would be part of the interview process,
Suko said: "No, he may not be there (at Susilo's residence)
because it is Susilo's prerogative to pick his ministers."

Susilo has said that he would require all ministerial
candidates to sign contracts spelling out their commitment to
state duties.

Before he takes office, Susilo will also visit all former
presidents and vice presidents.

"We hope to build a new tradition, which promotes respect to
our past leaders. There may be political differences, but a
mature nation has to honor its former presidents and vice
presidents," Susilo stated.