Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – President Megawati Sukarnoputri is facing mounting calls from Indonesian legislators to reshuffle her 10-month-old Cabinet, which has been criticised for poor performance and a lack of teamwork.
The legislators see the Cabinet as a disappointment, with one minister accused of abusing power and another of non-performance. Cracks are also showing within the economic team.
Parliament Speaker Akbar Tandjung said: "Changing Cabinet members is the most viable alternative to improve the government's performance." His call echoed the sentiments of several political and economic experts.
Political analyst Bantarto Bandoro of the Centre of International Strategic Studies: "Megawati has no other choice but to revamp the Cabinet, she should have done it months ago." But the President has been keeping mum on the issue, prompting speculation of an impending reshuffle.
"I may keep a little secret, may I not," she told Antara news Agency on Saturday on the sidelines of her visit to London over the weekend.
One of her party officials, however, expressed doubt she would reshuffle the Cabinet soon.
Legislator Subagyo Anam said: "It is not Megawati's style to make such a major move hastily like president Abdurrahman Wahid did in his two-year rule. Even if she reshuffled the Cabinet, it would probably be after the National Assembly annual session."
The Cabinet has been criticised for lacking vision, focus and leadership, and for being ineffective. Mr Bantarto said: "The Cabinet lacks a clear policy blueprint." Furthermore, its economic team appears to be tearing at the seams with the State Minister of National Development Planning Kwik Kian Gie at loggerheads with Coordinating Minister for Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and other economic ministers.
Mr Kwik, who is a senior member of Ms Megawati's Indonesian Democratic party (PDI-P), recently said the government should not renew its dealings with the International Monetary Fund, but other ministers say Indonesia still needs assistance from the Fund.
A top official in the PDI-P told The Straits Times that Ms Megawati was not likely to sack Mr Kwik, who is one of her most trusted aides.
Other Cabinet members who have been criticised include Defence Minister Matori Abdul Djalil who some legislators said have not achieved anything significant.
But PDI-P sources said the only minister likely to get sacked is Cabinet Secretary and State Secretary Bambang Kesowo. He has been accused of blocking access to the President and of trying to make his office the powerful body that it was during the Suharto regime. His office has also been accused of misusing billions of rupiah from the palace coffers.