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)