Indonesian cabinet watch – A new team in place

THE ASIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS

COORDINATING MINISTERS

Coordinating Minister for Economic and Finance Supervision; Minister for Development Planning: Professor Ginandjar Kartasasmita, 57.
– Served previously as Mines and Energy Minister and was Minister for National Development Planning in the last Cabinet.

Coordinating Minister of Development Supervision: Mr Hartarto Sastrosoenarto, 65.
– Served previously as Industry Minister. He has been re-appointed to the post he held in the last Cabinet.

Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare and Poverty Eradication: Professor Haryono Suyono, 60.
– Was Population Minister in the last Cabinet.

Coordinating Minister for Security and Political Affairs: General Feisal Tanjung, 59.
– Was the Indonesian armed forces commander in last Cabinet.

NEW FACES

Minister of Finance: Dr Fuad Bawazier, 49.
– Elevated in to Cabinet from his position as Director of Taxation.

Defence Minister and Armed Forces commander: General Wiranto, 50.
– Was army chief before his elevation to armed forces commander – a post he will continue to hold.

Minister of State Enterprises: Mr Tanri Abeng, 56.
– Respected businessman, he is chief executive officer of the diversified Bakrie & Brothers business group.

Governor, Bank of Indonesia: Dr Syahril Sabirin, 56.
– A former senior finance economist with the World Bank, he served as a director of the central bank until and took over as governor earlier this year.

Minister for Youth and Sports: Mr Agung Laksono, 49.
– Businessman.

Information Minister: Professor Alwi Dahlan, 65.
– The Ph.D in Communication Studies from Illinois University headed the state agency responsible for promoting the Pancasila state ideology.

Minister for Land and Agrarian Affairs: Maj-Gen Ary Mardjono, 57.
– An assistant to former State Secretary Moerdiono, he is secretary-general of the ruling Golkar party.

Transport Minister: Mr Giri Suseno Hadihardjono, 57.
– A former director-general for land transport, he last held the post of vice-chairman of the research and application of technology agency (BPPT).

Minister of Social Affairs: Mrs Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, 49.
– President Suharto’s eldest daughter, she is a successful businesswoman and head of the Indonesian Red Cross.

Minister of Trade and Industry: Mr Mohamad “Bob” Hasan, 67.
– Indonesia’s timber tycoon, he is also the first ethnic Chinese minister in a Suharto cabinet.

Minister of Mines and Energy: Dr Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, 51.
– The Stanford University graduate has served has served as director of government-owned PT Tambang Timah, the world’s largest tin mine.

Manpower Minister: Mr Theo Sambuaga, 49.
– Deputy Secretary-General of the ruling Golkar.

Environment Minister: Prof Juwono Sudarsono, 56.
– A respected political analyst and lecturer, he was Vice-Governor of the National Resilience Institute.

Minister of Research and Technology: Prof Rahadi Ramelan, 58.
– A graduate from the Czech Technical Institute in Prague, he was previously a vice-chairman of National Development Planning Board.

Justice Minister: Prof H. Muladi.
– A rector of the Diponegoro University and member of the government-appointed National Human Rights Commission.

Agriculture Minister: Prof Justika Syarifudin Baharsyah, 61.
– Wife of the previous Agriculture Minister and head of the Agronomy Faculty at the Institute of Agriculture.

Forestry and Plantation Minister: Mr Sumahadi, 55.
– A graduate from the University of the Philippines, he was a department head in Forestry Ministry.

Minister for Religious Affairs: Prof Muhammad Quraish Shihab.
– Muslim religious leader at the Presidential Palace.

Transmigration Minister: Lieutenant-General Abdullah Mohamad Hendropriyono.
– A former chief of the Jakarta military command, he last held the position of secretary for development of operational control in the state secretariat.

Minister for Education and Culture: Prof Wiranto Arismunandar, 65.
– Former rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology.

Health Minister: Prof Farid Antara Muluk.
– Dean of the University of Indonesia’s medical faculty.

State Secretary: Mr Saadilah Mursyid.
– Has held various staff appointments at the State Secretariat.

Minister for Public Works: Mr Rachmadi Bambang Sumadhidjo, 58.
– Has held staff positionsin the Public Works Ministry including as director-general.

Minister for Women’s Affairs: Miss Tuty Alawiyah.
– A businesswoman, she is also an MP from the United Development Party
– the first time the president has included a politician from outside the ruling Golkar.

Attorney-General: Mr Soedjono Chanasiah Atmonegoro.
– Was previously the vice Attorney-General.

RETAINED:

Foreign Minister: Mr Ali Alatas, 66.
– Served in the same post in Mr Suharto’s last two cabinets.

Interior Minister: General Raden Hartono, 57.
– The former Army chief, he was appointed Information Minister last year.

Minister for Food and Drugs: Dr Haryanto Dhanutirto, 58.
– Was the Transport Minister in last cabinet.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture: Mr Abdul Latief, 59.
– A businessman who was brought into the last cabinet as Manpower Minister.

Minister of Cooperatives and Small-scale Enterprises: Mr Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya.
– Held the same post in last cabinet.

Minister for Investments: Mr Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo.
– Held same appointment in last cabinet.

Housing Minister: Mr Akbar Tanjung.
– Held same post in last cabinet.