Soeharto to reshuffle cabinet: Harmoko
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) yesterday that he would soon reshuffle his two-month-old cabinet.
"Since we need a strong and dependable cabinet, the President decided to change and reshuffle the cabinet," House Speaker Harmoko quoted the President as saying in their meeting at Soeharto's Jl. Cendana residence.
The President told House leaders that he would accelerate his efforts to accommodate public demands for reform, and to restore security and order, according to Harmoko.
To achieve this, he needs a strong cabinet, Harmoko added.
A cabinet reshuffle is one of the many demands made by the growing reform movement led by university students.
Critics have said that the Seventh Development Cabinet, formed in March, embodied corruption, collusion and nepotism, often cited as the main sources of the crisis.
Harmoko was accompanied by deputy speakers Syarwan Hamid of the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction, Ismail Hasan Metareum of the United Development Party (PPP), Abdul Gafur of Golkar and Fatimah Achmad of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
Harmoko said he had conveyed to Soeharto the people's growing desire for changes in the cabinet to carry out political, economic and legal reforms.
"The President respects the wishes of the people. He will move to defend the people, ensure continued development and protect people's assets. Reform will be pursued in all fields," he said.
Soeharto also assured House leaders that he would use all his legitimate powers to restore security and order in the country which has been rocked by riots these past few days.
The President yesterday also met with leaders of the University of Indonesia (UI) during which he reportedly reiterated once again a readiness to step aside, by constitutional means, if that was what the people wished.
"If people want him to resign, and this can happen anytime, he will lengser keprabon (abdicate)," UI vice rector Umar Mansur said.
Led by rector Asman Boedisantoso, the UI delegation presented Soeharto with a 34 page summary of a recent symposium held on national strategies to face the future. They also exchanged views on the current situation, including the question of Soeharto's succession.
Asman said Soeharto listened tentatively during the one-hour presentation.
"In the beginning, we said: 'Please Bapak listen to us,' and he gave us one hour," Asman said.
"He responded very well, saying as head of state, he was only carrying out tasks assigned to him," Asman noted.
Joining the meeting were senior government officials, including Vice President B.J. Habibie, Coordinating Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Coordinating Minister for Development Supervision and State Administrative Reforms Hartarto, Minister/State Secretary Saadilah Mursyid and Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto Arismunandar.
Soeharto said he fully understood the student demands for reform but asked them not to take to the streets because it could put themselves, and the public, in danger.
Asman criticized the House, saying the legislators were too slow in anticipating the people's demands for change and reform.
He said the President shared their view that the House should be more proactive and boost their role as legislative force.
"I think they are shocked, because for 32 years they did not understand the meaning of reform since the subject was taboo," Asman noted. (prb)