President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono briefed 16 politicians and professionals believed to be part of his next Cabinet lineup at his private residence here on Saturday.

The 16 politicians and professionals who came from the President’s party coalition and his outgoing first Cabinet, showed up one by one to undergo “a fit-and-proper test” directly conducted by the President and vice-president-elect Boediono.

Former chief commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Marshall (ret.) Djoko Suyanto was the first man who emerged to undergo the formalities and after that came Hatta Radjasa and Agung Laksono.

Based on their own statements to journalists covering the event, Djoko was believed to be been appointed as coordinating minister for political, security and law affairs, Hatta, outgoing minister/state secretary and  close aide of Yudhoyono, was expected to be appointed as coordinating minister for the economy while Agung Laksono, deputy chairman of the Golkar Party and former House speaker, was believed to be appointed as coordinating minister for people’s welfare.  

None of the three could say clearly that they had been appointed to hold these top positions, saying it was Yudhoyono’s prerogative to pick his ministers and he was scheduled to announce all 34 members of the Cabinet on Oct. 21, a day after his own inauguration for his second term.

However, they gave some hints to journalists.

“They asked me to join the government, especially in the field of people’s welfare,” Agung told journalists after a meeting and the briefing with the President and Boediono.

“They expect me to, among others, coordinate effectively and synergize with other institutions, to improve the government’s performance and rapidly reduce the poverty rate... I’ve declared my readiness to cooperate,” he added, declining to confirm his would-be post in the next Cabinet.

Similarly, Hatta admitted that he was appointed as an economic minister, though he refused to
confirm whether he would be the coordinator.

“That’s the President’s role. I can’t tell you what [position], but surely it is in the field of the economy,” he told journalists.

Despite the term “fit-and-proper test” used by the President for the Saturday’s activity at his place, it appeared that no ministerial candidates underwent any sort of formal test.

Djoko said that after the President asked of his readiness to assist in the government, the latter briefed him over the “crucial points” concerning his “heavy tasks” in the five years ahead.

“Lastly, I signed the integrity pact and performance contract, which we as his assistants must adhere to between 2009 and 2014,” Djoko said.

Yudhoyono said earlier that before being entitled to a post in the Cabinet, the ministerial candidates would be required to sign the two documents, which outlined the targets each minister must achieve during their five-year term.

The candidates coming to his residence on Saturday all signed the documents, meaning they will only have to undergo medical check-ups on the following day before being officially named as Cabinet ministers.

The remaining 18 candidates will meet the President on Sunday and undergo medical check-ups
on Monday.

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