Soeharto to reshuffle cabinet: Harmoko
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)