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  • President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has announced all members of his Cabinet, most of whom come from political parties. What do you think?
    Send your thoughts by email to readersforum@ thejakartapost.com or by SMS to +628111872772. Please include your name and city.

Answers

  • Maria Pakpahan

    Picking up from "The Making of Cabinet Ministers" ( R. Rose 1971) , it was stated how one can choose either of two contrasting approach. First is known as a deductive approach that emphasises the substance of the job which is similar to management theory. The second is an inductive approach which " emphasises the selection of ministers as the product of a series of conventions and rules that have evolved in the course of time, without coherent plant or rationale". This approach will not ask what kind of person must become a mister but it based on what kind of people does the process throw up?".
    The deductive approach covers that the job of minister is first defined and characteristics necessary or relevant to success are specified.
    I found this is not the case of the new cabinet of President SBY. It is incline to inductive approach. It seems the ministers appointed primarily for their loyalty and this criteria is concerned with solidarity aspect of government. I am not sure about competence and representativeness as a sine qua non for Cabinet post apply to the current new cabinet.
    It is expected that the making of a minister involves two important and distinctive elements: the experiences that an individual has while qualifying for selection and the tasks that confront him once he or she has been appointed to office ( Rose, p. 394). The issue of skills and recruitment are worth noting on the composition of the new cabinet.
    It is crystal clear that the way in which individuals are recruited for ministerial work is President SBY' choices. As the power of appointment is concentrated in the hand of President, then the criteria of appointment are inevitably subject to President's state of mind and frame of work to carry on his mandate and promises in his Presidential campaign.
    I my observation, President SBY aware that if he cannot find individuals who are representative, loyal and competent, then he tend to go for individuals for their representativeness and some individuals for their personal loyalty. My worry is more people from a pool of loyalty to President. The President may think that they are representing political parties.However, It is a safe way not not a strategic way to improve Indonesia situation. Wasn't William Blake who opted for a difficult path instead an easy way ? He is a poet and he chosen a difficult track. How can a President opted an easy way ?
    President's patronage power is expected to be the glue amongst ministers. It must be understood that the role of cabinet ministers are vary and for sure demanding. They also have to compete for resources within the state annual budget.Ministers also can be asked as chief negotiator and spokesperson on subject related to his/her post/ department. These are only few descriptions of the role of cabinet ministers.
    I shall not mention individual names but the fact that the appointment some new ministers have raised some questions" who is this person or what he or she has done ?" is a reality that should not be ignored. If this is the case, soon there is a demand for reshuffle of cabinet ministers. Mark my point here ; unemployment, MDGs, poverty, HDI, regional development, universal coverage for health insurance for Indonesia citizens, a safe and cheap transportation, open and accessible information, technology development, affordable and quality education, reducing infant mortality, safe country,economic growth and distribution of wealth and so on and so forth are not come from personal loyalty. It takes extraordinary effort, commitment plus competency and much.. much more. Ironically, loyalty is not necessarily the essential requirement.

  • bambang - Jakarta, Indonesia

    all members of SBY cabinet for this period are too many from political parties. So, I'm not sure they will give priority to nation problem. It will be for their parties.

  • suprayogi - UPI,Bandung, Indonesia

    The decision made by SBY is long-thinking consideration. Although most of the cabinet members come from the political parties, it doesn't mean that there will be too much political interest. They are choosen because of their dedication and their educational background. Thus, they deserve for such position. Coming from political parties i think they (ministers) will also balancing the climate of politic beside they run the government. I hope the elected ministers will give real contribution, not only in the policies but also considering the aspect of low class people.

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