Megawati Cabinet formation delayed

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, AUG. 2. Ten days have passed since Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri was elected the President of Indonesia, but there's no sign of a new Cabinet to govern the troubled nation.

Ms. Megawati, who was to have announced her Cabinet tomorrow, is learnt to have put off the decision until next week.

The delay in putting together a new team to run the Government is understandable given the fact that her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) does not enjoy a majority in Parliament.

Also, the President must accommodate the interests of powerful faction leaders who helped in the impeachment of Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid and catapulted Ms. Megawati to the country's top job.

The President today consulted with political leaders on ``names'' which could be included in the Cabinet. Apparently, faction leaders have been asked to submit candidates to their choice in a sealed envelop to the President.

``It (the Cabinet) should be announced by next week. The final selection is the prerogative of the President,'' Mr. Akbar Tandjung, leader of the Golkar Party, said in Jakarta today.

Mr. Hidayat Nurwahid of the Justice Party said: ``Mrs. Mega (short for Megawati) asked for names from political parties... the Cabinet will be announced next Thursday at the latest.

``On matters related to the TNI (Indonesian military) commander, the Defence Minister and the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Social and Security Affairs, the President will hold intensive talks with the TNI and the national police,'' he added.

Other than the factions demanding their own men in Government, leading lights of the PDI-P too are engaged in jockeying for position in the new Cabinet.

It remains to be seen whether, in a bid to accommodate and appease faction leaders, Ms. Megawati compromises on the need to have competent professionals holding some of the key Cabinet jobs.

Overall, her relationship with the military is expected to be stable as the PDI-P has said more than once that the party was in no hurry to see the TNI return to the barracks. It is clear that Ms. Megawati has to keep the politicians happy, but whether she keeps the lion's share of the portfolios for the PDI-P or distributes it in a proportional manner remains to be seen.

It would also be interesting to see whether the party of the ousted President, Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid, is accommodated in Government.

Given the fact that the party has been alienated (along with its leader), Ms. Megawati would do the politically correct thing by taking in some representation from Mr. Wahid's National Awakening Party (PKB). According to available reports, Mr. Wahid is on his way back to Indonesia after receiving medical treatment in the United States. His role, too, will be closely watched in the days ahead - whether he takes on an active political role or waits and watches from the sidelines.

As Indonesians wait for a new Government, they would probably allow Ms. Megawati time to pick those who can address some of the pressing problems facing the country.

Once the Government is formed, the people of Indonesia would expect Ms. Megawati and her Cabinet to deliver the goods.

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Section  : International
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