Susilo's Cabinet lineup gets mixed reactions
M. Taufiqurrahman and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Cabinet lineup of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono drew mixed reactions on Thursday, with an expert upbeat it could deliver significant changes, albeit slowly.
Others said, however, the Cabinet was a result of political compromise as were past Cabinets.
Political observer J. Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said there was every reason to be optimistic that the Cabinet could tackle a myriad of problems plaguing the country.
"To rise out of the multifarious crises the country needs close relations with the world at large and as far as the economic ministers are concerned, they are market-friendly," he told The Jakarta Post.
Kristiadi said Cabinet members like Jusuf Anwar, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Marie Elka Pangestu and Purnomo Yusgiantoro were not hostile toward the country's integration with the world economy.
With regards to the antigraft drive, he was optimistic that Susilo had appointed the right person for the right position. "We can expect even more if the President appoints a figure of similar type for the post of National Police chief," he said.
Susilo appointed Abdul Rahman Saleh as Attorney General, raising hopes that the former justice who is known for his untainted record could pursue a full-fledged antigraft program. Susilo had said he would lead the drive himself.
However, Kristiadi said the public could not expect the Cabinet to bring about significant changes in the near future.
Syamsuddin Haris of the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) said the effectiveness of the Cabinet would hinge on the President's own resolve.
"Ministers are nothing but assistants to the President. Therefore, it is the President who has the final say on any initiatives made by his subordinates," he told the Post.
Syamsuddin suggested that the public give the Cabinet time to work and then judge the outcome after a certain period.
He also played down the fact that the market gave a cool response to the Cabinet lineup.
"I am beginning to question exactly what kind of ministers the market wants, because as you can see for yourself the economic team is pro-market," he said.
Meanwhile, politicians at the House of Representatives said the new administration would face an uphill battle in the first three months in office, as it was only the result of a compromise between Susilo and the political forces that supported him.
M. Akil Mochtar of the Golkar Party said the composition of the Cabinet clearly indicated a power sharing arrangement rather than a solid team.
"We've been told that Susilo promised to form a Cabinet consisting of professionals, but we have seen that it was only to accommodate various political interests," Akil told the Post.
Fellow legislator Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) suspected there were some ministers who were still mired in financial problems.
Soetardjo declined to name the ministers in question.
Zainal Ma'arif of the Reform Star Party (PBR) faction expressed doubts that Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie could carry out his job well as he had been unable to resolve numerous problems involving his business endeavors.
Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction at the House Abdillah Toha disputed his fellow legislators' claim, saying the Cabinet lineup gives new hope to the nation.
"The most important thing is good coordination among the ministers. Do not repeat the mistakes of the previous administrations," said Abdillah, whose party has two ministers in the new Cabinet.
A coalition of non-governmental organizations cast doubts over the Cabinet's ability to work effectively and bring about changes.
"Eighty percent of the ministers are incorrectly placed and this will make it difficult for the President to fulfill the promises he has made to the public," the coalition said in a joint statement.