UKP3P frozen, says NU Chairman citing Vice President

Jakarta, NU Online
The Presidential Working Unit to Manage Programs and Reforms (UKP3R) has been frozen and this was agreed at Friday’s meeeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dan Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla,  Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Chairman Hasyim Muzadi said.

Hasyim, leader of the largest Muslim organization in the country, made the remark after a meeting with the vice president at the latter’s residence on Jalan Diponegoro in central Jakarta on Saturday.

But Kalla did no say until when the team’s frozen status would last, Hasyim added.

President Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla met at the  presidential office here on Friday to discuss the formation of UKP3R which was rumored to have caused friction between the two leaders, presidential spokesman Andi Malarangeng said.

"On the occasion, President Yudhoyono explained that the formation of UKP3R would not alter the roles and authorities of the president, vice president and coordinating ministers," he said as reported by the national news agency Antara.

According to Andi, Kalla arrived at the presidential office at 11.15 for the tete-a-tete with Yudhoyono. Then the two leaders performed Friday prayers at the Baiturrahim Mosque in the presidential palace compound.

Hasyim said the UKP3R was no longer needed because there were  clear job descriptions in the cabinet so the unit’s fomation  reflected the systemic confusion and weakness of President Yudhoyono’s leadership.

He also said the Presidnet seemed to be reluctant to reshuffle his cabinet because it would pose more risks and he had to calculate the political parties’ strengths and his position in parliament so he eventually opted to form the working unit.  

"By creating the unit, he reduced the powers of ministers  without conducting  a reshuffle," Hasyim said. (dar)