T

his letter is a response to an article written by Lin Che Wei entitled “BPMigas dissolution: A political comedy,” (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 17). With this letter, I only want to present information and input.

First, we certainly cannot hold politicians responsible for being grouped in the “Central Axis”, which Lin describes as a “comedy” just swaying with the wind.

Second, in Megawati Soekarnoputri’s Cabinet, I was state minister for national development planning/head of the National Planning Agency (Bappenas), not coordinating minister for economic and industry or coordinating minister for the economy. At that time, the coordinating minister for the economy was Dorodjatun Kuntjotoyakti.

Third, during president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid’s presidency, there was no deliberation or talks about the oil and gas bill.

Fourth, although there was a minister directly related to the controversial law, the minister could not be considered responsible (for the bill), except if the minister supported the bill process.

Our governmental system is such that a decision is made only by one person, the president. The Cabinet meetings are only a forum to give input to the president.

Then state secretary Bambang Kesowo used to explain it thus. The term “Cabinet meeting decision” is wrong. The right one is that “the president makes a decision in the Cabinet meeting.” The president can make a decision in a restroom.

As a Cabinet member, I often held a different opinion from the president, which was often apparent in the media. It was up to the president whether he/she wanted to fire me or not.

If a decision has been made by the president under the sector of my ministry, which was not in line with my stance, my beliefs, resignation is up to me.

Unless it was against my principles, I would not resign as long as there was a record of my disagreement. There are many examples, such as policies on the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), fuel subsidy, etc.

Kwik Kian Gie
Jakarta