Soeharto's trusted aides

Soeharto's trusted aides

The swift manner with which President Soeharto has put his
cabinet team together -- only three days after his reelection --
indicates the pressing agenda his government faces: resolving the
economic crisis. Saturday's announcement of the cabinet lineup
has eliminated at least one element of uncertainty that clouded
the nation's life in the past few weeks. There are still many
other uncertainties, particularly in the economy, to deal with.
The new cabinet, along with Soeharto's reelection last week, has
at least given Indonesia the political leadership that it needs
if it is to get out of this crisis at all.

Soeharto retained 12 officials from the old cabinet to provide
continuity with the past, and brought in 24 new faces to inject
new blood into his team. Some of the new ministers are not total
novices in the complexity of state affairs. Some were recruited
from within the ministries they now head, such as Fuad Bawazier
(finance) and Rachmadi Bambang Sumadio (public works).

Soeharto brought in more business leaders than he has ever
done in the past, a move which many hope will bring greater
entrepreneurship -- and we mean it in the positive sense -- to
the cabinet. The choice of Tanri Abeng, once considered
Indonesia's most professional manager, to supervise the operation
of state enterprises, for example, is certainly commendable. The
presence of scholars of the likes of Juwono Sudarsono and Muladi
and of seasoned politicians like Theo Sambuaga and Agung Leksono
should also give credence to the new government.

Credibility is indeed vital for the new government as it sets
out on its tasks. The government needs to regain the confidence
of the public, and that, in this globalized world, includes
international as well as local markets upon which much of the
fate of our economy largely lies. Pegging the rupiah to a fixed
rate, seen as the only way of restoring currency stability, for
example, would not work without public and market confidence.

If the experience of past administrations is anything to go
by, the new cabinet must not waver on its commitment to economic
reform, which every one agrees would be a long-term cure to our
problems. Even the slightest hesitancy, or even backtracking on
reform, would surely instill doubt and undermine confidence.

A lot of hopes and expectations were placed on the new cabinet
even before Saturday's announcement. Calls to audit the wealth of
cabinet members or grilling them over their worth should not be
seen as an attempt to tamper with the constitutional prerogative
of the President, but as an indication of increasing public
concern about corruption and collusion in high places. There has
also been concern about nepotism, the granting of business
monopolies and crony capitalism. These concerns are part of a
growing demand for good governance and clean government. The new
cabinet would be well advised to take heed of these concerns.

It would be premature as well as unfair for anyone to pass
judgment on whether the new cabinet meets these expectations
before it even begins work. Some people may have opinions about
individual ministers, but one must treat the cabinet as a team.

In reelecting Soeharto for president last week, the nation has
entrusted him with leading the country for the next five years.
That, according to the Constitution, includes giving him a free
hand in naming his cabinet. What distinguishes these 33 men and
three women in the cabinet from the hundreds or probably
thousands of other who are equally capable is that they have the
trust of the President in discharging his state duties. If
Soeharto has entrusted the affairs of government in their
supposedly capable hands, the least the nation can do is let them
work and prove their worth. Let's reserve judgment for later. For
now, let's wish them well in their unenviable difficult tasks.