TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Political analyst from the University of Indonesia, Ade Armando, says he supportsPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s move to reprimand some of his ministers during a cabinet meeting at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta last Saturday.
"This reveals how these ministers, as the President’s aides, have not been working well," Ade told Tempoyesterday, "He (Yudhoyono) reminded his aides to step up their performance."
Yesterday, Yudhoyono criticized Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin about his lateness in reporting the riot that broke out at the Class I Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary in Medan. Yudhoyono found out about the riot through an international news station.
Yudhoyono also reprimanded Agriculture Minister Suswono and Trade Minister Gita Irawan Wirjawan for trying to blame each other about the rising price of beef. He said he was disappointed as the long discussed beef pricing policy has not yielded any results.
Ade said that Yudhoyono calling out his ministers in public can help people understand about the issues the government is dealing with. On the other hand, it could also have a negative impact.
"His aides may feel unprotected and exposed of their weaknesses," he said. However, he also added that these negative impacts should not be met with concern as long as the public understands what is actually going on in the government.
PRIHANDOKO