Women's business binds Mien, Inten

JAKARTA (JP): They say being part of a minority group helps one feel closer to fellow members. The same could be said for Mien Sugandhi and Inten Soeweno, the only women ministers in the outgoing cabinet.

"She is my younger 'sister', you know," Mien, the outgoing state minister of women's roles, was quoted by Antara as saying. She was replying to questions from reporters about why she was inseparable from Inten, the outgoing minister of social services, during the General Session.

The two sat next to each other, went to lunch and browsed through the stands in the fair together. Sometimes, they were seen walking hand in hand.

"There are only two women ministers, so we have to be solid," Mien explained, but did not say why she felt women needed to bond that strongly in the male-dominated cabinet. (swe)