Soeharto bids farewell to his cabinet members

Soeharto bids farewell to his cabinet members

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto bid farewell to his cabinet
yesterday afternoon, apologizing to them for his shortcomings as
the cabinet's chief and to their families for the sacrifices they
had to endure.

In a farewell reception to mark the completion of the five-
year term of the 41-member cabinet at Merdeka Palace, the
President expressed gratitude for their assistance.

While the reception marked the formal farewell of the cabinet,
the President instructed his ministers to continue working until
a new cabinet was appointed later this month.

The cabinet originally comprised four coordinating ministers,
21 portfolio ministers, 13 state ministers, plus the chief of the
Armed Forces (ABRI), the governor of the central bank, Bank
Indonesia, and the attorney general.

Five changes were seen from the original line-up appointed in
1993.

In December 1995, the President merged the ministry of trade
with the ministry of industry.

Satrio Budiardjo Joedono, then minister of trade, was then
appointed as Indonesia's ambassador to France while the new
ministry came under the helm of the Minister of Industry Tunky
Ariwibowo.

In June last year, Minister of Information Harmoko was
replaced by former Gen. (ret) R. Hartono. Harmoko is currently
speaker of the House of Representatives/People's Consultative
Assembly (DPR/MPR).

In January, Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
Security Soesilo Soedarman passed away. The position was left
vacant.

In the last fortnight, two new faces have been introduced into
the outgoing cabinet.

Soeharto appointed Gen. Wiranto last month as Armed Forces
chief replacing Gen. Feisal Tanjung.

Then the governor of Bank Indonesia, Soedradjad Djiwandono,
was suddenly replaced by Sjahril Sabirin on Feb. 20.

Feisal, Harmoko and Soedradjad were present at yesterday's
reception. The late Soesilo was represented by his wife.

Vice President Try Sutrisno apologized to the President on
behalf of the ministers, expressing regret that if as
presidential aides they had not succeeded in their tasks or had
"burdened" the President.

Soeharto replied saying that "if some of you feel rather
unsatisfied at not being able to accomplish everything you would
have liked due to the end of term, it's not just your fault but
also my shortcoming in guiding you for five years."

Soeharto then conveyed his appreciation to the ministers'
spouses. "I also apologize to you ... because your husbands had
to work overtime, until midnight or sometimes even did not go
home".

Many of the wives responded by leering meaningfully at their
husbands. Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono's wife chuckled and
patted her husband's shoulder. Moerdiono smiled.

During the reception, the President presented each minister
with a letter of appreciation, a decree on their retirement and a
specially engraved pen.

During previous cabinets, the President granted ministers
their official sedans, usually a Volvo, for private keeping.

A vice president usually gets a new house as he has to vacate
the official residence on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta.

But there was no announcement yesterday whether this tradition
would continue.

During the luncheon cabinet members were entertained by pop
singers Yuni Shara and Dewi Yull. Dewi sang the classic Badai
Pasti Berlalu (The Storm Will Be Over), reminding people of the
same words recently used by Soeharto.

The ministers looked at each other when attractive Yuni sang
dangdut song Pasrah (Submission). Moerdiono then jumped on stage
and sang an oldie, Kisah Sedih di hari Minggu (A Sad Story on
Sunday).

One minister who seemed rather different was State Minister of
Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

The usually accessible Habibie was seen guarded by security
personnel making it more difficult for journalists to approach
him. As an official vice presidential candidate, protocol
requires that he be given additional security. (prb)