New Susilo cabinet sworn in
Freddy Numberi, former Indonesian Ambassador to Italy, is one of three Catholics in the new cabinet.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) Indonesia's new president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) met his new cabinet at its swearing-in ceremony. In order to eradicate corruption, fight terrorism and overcome economic backwardness, his government will "choose action over political slogans and set priorities in the interest of the nation and not partisan groups". The President warned his cabinet that he will not hesitate from reviewing their work. "If I have something to say," he stated, "and you have done something wrong, you should quickly hand in your resignation".
Ministerial appointments were announced last night after two postponements. Susilo said he was satisfied with his choices but "realised that not every party would agree. For me what's important is their performance, hard work and service, so that five years from now Indonesia will be in better conditions".
The new cabinet has 36 members including three Catholics and is a mixture of old and new faces. They come from different political parties, some from the Megawati and Wahid administrations; others are experienced professionals or former army officers. Here is the list of ministers according to party membership.
Two ministers come from Susilo's own Democratic Party Jero Wacik, Tourism and Culture Minister, and Taufik Effendi, State Apparatus Efficiency Minister. The four former military officers are Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adisutjipto, Home Affairs Minister Mochtar Maruf, Maritime and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi, and Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi.
Five of Megawati's ministers were retained although none of them are members of her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. They are Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirajuda, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro (a Jesuit-trained Catholic) and Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah.
Although members of the Islamic Crescent Star Party (PBB), a party advocating the implementation of Islamic Law that backed Susilo during the presidential campaign, former Megawati's cabinet members Yusril Izha Mahendra and Hatta Rajasawere were appointed respectively to the posts of State Secretary and Transportation Minister. MS Kaban, another member of the PBB was appointed Forestry Minister.
Islam-based United Development Party (PPP) won three posts. In addition to Bachtiar Chamsyah, Suryadharma Ali was appointed Cooperatives and Small-Medium Enterprises Minister and Sugiharto became State Enterprises Minister.
Two ministries went to Golkar, the party that holds the majority in parliament: Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie and Manpower and Transmigration Minister Fahmi Idris. Both are close to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, also a Golkar member.
Alwi Shihab and Syaifullah Yusuf from former president Wahid's National Awakening Party (PKB) were respectively appointed as Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Acceleration of Development in Less-Developed Regions Minister.
Two cabinet posts went to members of Amien Rais' National Mandate Party (PAN): Transportation Minister Hatta Rajasa and National Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo.
Catholic Marie Elka Pangestu is the new Trade Minister. Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni, former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a member of the country's largest Muslim organisation, the Nahdlatul Ulama, is the new Religious Affairs Minister
Public opinion will be particularly interested in Abdul Rahman Saleh, the new Justice Minister and Attorney General. As a Supreme Court judge he was involved in the fight against corruption among politicians.
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31/10/2008
