http://www.thejakartapost.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]&irec=0
Yudhoyono wavers as UPK3R left in limbo The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tensions have been building the past week after a rift opened between the President and his deputy over a new presidential advisory body. Eventually, one of them blinked. Unit head Marsilam Simanjuntak's absence at Monday's Cabinet meeting was the first indication, while presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng's announcement later in the day confirmed many suspicions. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would redefine the job description of the Presidential Unit for the Management of Reform Programs (UPK3R) to ensure it could effectively cooperate with the Cabinet, Andi said. The score seemed settled. Sources at Kalla's office later claimed unit representatives would not attend future Cabinet meetings as previously intended, and would work only to monitor "technical" policy aspects. Word had already spread over the weekend that in the face of Vice President's Jusuf Kalla's objections, the unit would be left in limbo. The exact fate of the unit now remains as vague as Andi's explanation. He said the UPK3R would remain in existence but President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would redesign its working parameters to meet certain "working standards" and clarify "technical functions". Sources close to the vice presidential office, meanwhile, claimed the redefinition was a serious overhaul designed with the approval of the Vice President. The unit was established by a presidential decree in September to monitor, control and accelerate Yudhoyono's reform programs. Article five of the decree creating the unit had required Marsilam to attend Cabinet meetings, putting him on the same level as a minister and giving the body similar powers to a ministry. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Boediono was tight-lipped after Monday's Cabinet meeting when asked about the unit's fate. According to the decree, Boediono was responsible to coordinate work between the unit, other ministries and government institutions. The body has been criticized, particularly by Kalla, who was reportedly not consulted in its formation. His objection quickly received the backing of the Golkar Party that Kalla heads and is arguably Yudhoyono's most important political ally. A slew of politicians also questioned the necessity of forming yet another presidential committee. However, Andi played down Monday's developments, saying Marsillam's absence was not unusual. He brushed aside claims of a presidential backdown in the face of strong pressure from Kalla, Golkar and other political forces. Communication problems about the unit had led to misperceptions and conflicting statements about its status, he said. "The creation of the unit began with the constructive goal of allowing the President to observe and manage ongoing reform programs effectively.". When Yudhoyono first publicly floated the idea of the unit earlier this year, Kalla was on a visit to Japan. Later when questioned by journalists about it, the Vice President seemed unaware of its existence. Now it is the fate of the unit that is unsure. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
