President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono briefed 16 politicians and professionals believed to be part of his next Cabinet lineup at his private residence here on Saturday.
The 16 politicians and professionals who came from the President’s party coalition and his outgoing first Cabinet, showed up one by one to undergo “a fit-and-proper test” directly conducted by the President and vice-president-elect Boediono.
Former chief commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Marshall (ret.) Djoko Suyanto was the first man who emerged to undergo the formalities and after that came Hatta Radjasa and Agung Laksono.
Based on their own statements to journalists covering the event, Djoko was believed to be been appointed as coordinating minister for political, security and law affairs, Hatta, outgoing minister/state secretary and close aide of Yudhoyono, was expected to be appointed as coordinating minister for the economy while Agung Laksono, deputy chairman of the Golkar Party and former House speaker, was believed to be appointed as coordinating minister for people’s welfare.
None of the three could say clearly that they had been appointed to hold these top positions, saying it was Yudhoyono’s prerogative to pick his ministers and he was scheduled to announce all 34 members of the Cabinet on Oct. 21, a day after his own inauguration for his second term.
However, they gave some hints to journalists.
“They asked me to join the government, especially in the field of people’s welfare,” Agung told journalists after a meeting and the briefing with the President and Boediono.
“They expect me to, among others, coordinate effectively and synergize with other institutions, to improve the government’s performance and rapidly reduce the poverty rate... I’ve declared my readiness to cooperate,” he added, declining to confirm his would-be post in the next Cabinet.
Similarly, Hatta admitted that he was appointed as an economic minister, though he refused to confirm whether he would be the coordinator.
“That’s the President’s role. I can’t tell you what [position], but surely it is in the field of the economy,” he told journalists.
Despite the term “fit-and-proper test” used by the President for the Saturday’s activity at his place, it appeared that no ministerial candidates underwent any sort of formal test.
Djoko said that after the President asked of his readiness to assist in the government, the latter briefed him over the “crucial points” concerning his “heavy tasks” in the five years ahead.
“Lastly, I signed the integrity pact and performance contract, which we as his assistants must adhere to between 2009 and 2014,” Djoko said.
Yudhoyono said earlier that before being entitled to a post in the Cabinet, the ministerial candidates would be required to sign the two documents, which outlined the targets each minister must achieve during their five-year term.
The candidates coming to his residence on Saturday all signed the documents, meaning they will only have to undergo medical check-ups on the following day before being officially named as Cabinet ministers.
The remaining 18 candidates will meet the President on Sunday and undergo medical check-ups on Monday.
Related Articles:
I'll see you again
The Jakarta Post | Sat, 10/17/2009 8:22 PM
I’ll see you again: Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu waves to reporters as she leaves president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s house in Cikeas, West Java. Yudhoyono summoned Marie on Saturday to offer her another term as a minister. -- JP/Wendra Ajistyatama
Not easy to become ministers: SBY aides
Transportation revitalization awaits Freddy
Another PKS member to helm agriculture ministry
Gorontalo Governor ready to chief maritime affairs, fisheries ministry
Purnomo: From mining to defense
Agum's wife to hold women empowerment ministerial post
Suharna asked to support economic development with technology
Djoko Kirmanto to retain public works minister post
Hidayat to take industry minister post
Darwin to head capital investment board
Jero Wacik to lead culture and tourism ministry
Muhaimin told to develop regions
Muhammad Nuh entrusted to develop culture
Tifatul assigned to develop information technology
Sutanto, Tifatul turn up for interview
Marie to retain trade minister post
Sri Mulyani to maintain finance minister post
Agung ready to take chief welfare minister job
Hatta to take economics minister post
Sudi offered state secretary post
Coordinating minister candidates arrive for test
Yudhoyono to interview ministerial candidates
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.