Experts predict future cabinet will be better than last

Jakarta, NU Online
A number of experts have suggested the future presidential cabinet will be more professional should incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) manage to secure re-election.

“SBY must be willing to establish a more professional cabinet by selecting ministers from outside the political realm,” the Director for the Indonesian Civilized Circle (Lima), Ray Tangkuti, told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Sunday.<>

Ray also said an efficient cabinet should not exceed 30 ministry posts.

“The ratio is 70 percent non-partisan ministers to 30 percent partisan ministers. Non-partisan ministers should be given vital posts, such as the finance minister position or economic coordinating minister.

"Partisan ministers should be given less significant positions involving less money, such as the role of youth and sports minister,” he said.

“SBY has the ball in his court now. He should not be worried if his political coalition partners, such as the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), have any objections to his choice of cabinet members,” he said.

An economist from Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University, Sri Adiningsih, said whether or not a cabinet member was attached to a political party would not guarantee their professionalism or neutrality.

“It is hard to find someone who is completely neutral these days, even those considered non-partisan are usually involved in a community or a group,” she said.

“The most important thing is that SBY and Boediono be very careful when selecting their ministers. They must select people who are willing to put the nation’s interests above their own,” she said. (dar)