New Cabinet to Do Best to Revive Economy: MegawatiIndonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri Thursday said that her newly-announced Cabinet line-up would do its best to accelerate the country's economic recovery in a bid to revive the people's economy and strengthen their purchasing power.In her address before officially announcing the Cabinet line-up, broadcast nationwide by all state-run and private electronic media, Megawati also vowed to free the people from fear by restoring security and enforcing the supremacy of law. The supremacy of law, and the law enforcement against corrupted elements will be prioritized, she said. The sustainability of reformation, threats of national disintegration, and the ongoing fluctuation of battered rupiah's exchange rate are among other serious problems that the nation is undergoing, she said. The president said the national unity in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is part of her Cabinet's working programs. Other working programs of the Cabinet include continuing democracy and reformation in clearer format, and protection of human rights; consistently implementing supremacy of law, foreign policy based on free and active principle, improving the people's welfare, and holding a peaceful and fair election in 2004, she said. On how the Cabinet line-up was made up, Megawati said she consulted Vice President Hamzah Haz, political party leaders, and top leaders of the legislative assembly on the issue while firmly upholding the existing constitutional system. The president said she also took into consideration the will and aspiration of various elements in the society and their expectation to soon be out of the ongoing multi-dimensional crisis regarding her "Gotong Royong" (mutual cooperation) cabinet. "I do realize the heavy burden of duties ... But, by praying for the almighty God's blessing and vice president's assistance, Insya Allah (God willing), these heavy duties can be carried out," she affirmed. |
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