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.