SINGAPORE, MARCH 14: If any further proof was needed that dynastic rule is deeply entrenched in Indonesia, one has only to take a look at the new cabinet line-up President Suharto announced today. It is a cabinet that is bound to reinforce allegations of cronyism and make the IMF, which has extended a $43 billion rescue package to the beleaguered economy, sceptical about the President's commitment to dismantling the system of patronage that has mired Indonesia in an economic and political mess.The 76-year-old leader's eldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, popularly known as Tutut, leads the fray, having been bestowed the mantle of Social Affairs Minister. Although rumours had been doing the rounds that the cabinet list contained many of her hand-picked candidates, her own entry into the inner circle of governance took some by surprise. The 48-year-old business woman heads 15 companies, and has played an active role in the ruling Golkar party.A close second in terms of influence is the President'sgolfing buddy Muhammad Bob Hasan, the timber tycoon who has been named for the important post of Trade and Industry Minister. He becomes the first ethnic Chinese to occupy a cabinet post in a Suharto regime. The plywood cartel Bob Hasan headed had been dismantled under reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund, but reports indicate he may try to resurrect it surreptitiously.Hasan's appointment is all the more shocking, coming as it does after the appointment of the highly unpopular B J Habibie, Suharto's protege, to the vice-presidential chair. National Development Planning Minister Ginandjar Kartasasmita is in charge of the Economic portfolio. Tax chief Fuad Bawazier will head the Finance Ministry. Like Kartasasmita, he too has a reputation for professionalism. The Bakrie group's chief officer Tanri Abeng gets Minister in charge of state enterprises.Former ABRI chief Feisal Tanjung is the coordinating minister for politics and security, while his successor and former close Suharto aide,General Wiranto, gets defence to his ABRI duties.
