"We talked about natural resources and the overlapping of licensing. We also talked about utilizing natural resources to provide good public services. Thats all," stated Siti Nurbaya, former secretary general of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
But, she refused to comment on a speculation about her being a probable ministerial candidate.
"Oh, no, no. I dont think so," she said when asked about the composition of Jokowis cabinet.
There are rumors that Siti Nurbaya could be one of Jokowis cabinet ministers.
President Jokowi has not yet decided when to announce his cabinet lineup.
"The announcement can be made today, it can be at noon or in the evening. We will tell you later," the president said at the official residence of Jakarta Governor on Wednesday morning.
However, he did not confirm the location where he would make the announcement: whether at the State Palace or other venues such as at the Pluit Reservoir in North Jakarta, Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta or at the Tanah Abang wholesale market in Central Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Jusuf Kalla stated that the announcement would take place at the State Palace.
"It will be announced at the State Palace," Kalla said at the Vice Presidential Palace on Wednesday.
The vice-president asked all parties to remain patient till any announcement was made.
"We will soon announce the cabinet lineup, but all parties must remain patient as we have to carefully select the cabinet ministers," Kalla remarked.
Earlier, the president had entrusted the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) with the task of scrutinizing the financial background of his ministerial candidates.
The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) had praised the involvement of the KPK and PPATK and called it a right decision by Jokowi.
Executive Director of the Indonesian Social and Political Study Center (Puspol Indonesia) Ubedilah Badrun on Tuesday had noted that Jokowi must be firm while selecting his ministerial candidates.
"Jokowi must show his determination and leadership while selecting personnel for his cabinet structure. This is because about 40 percent of his prospective cabinet ministers are problematic," he had stated.
Ubedillah, who is a lecturer at the Jakarta State University (UNJ), stressed Jokowi must select his ministers from outside the community of capitalists and political party circles.
According to him, some 40 percent of the names that Jokowi submitted to the KPK earned yellow marks from the anti-graft body.
They are believed to be problematic in terms of integrity and anti-corruption commitment.
"There is no need to appoint ministers from well-known circles. They can be selected from general groups, but should be professionals and have an integrity to work hard," he added.
(A014/INE/b003)
EDITED BY INE.
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
