The Indonesian President, Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri, yesterday unveiled a cabinet dominated by technocrats to tackle a host of crises ranging from economic woes to bloody sectarian and separatist unrest.
Ms Megawati named ambassador to Washington and economist Mr Dorojatun Kuncoro-Jakti (61) as co-ordinating (senior) minister for the economy in her Gotong Royong (Co-operation) cabinet.
There are two other co-ordinating ministers, 17 full ministers and 10 state (junior) ministers. Lieut Gen Hari Sabarno, the home affairs minister, is the only active military man.
The co-ordinating minister for politics and security affairs is a close Megawati ally, retired general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (52). The then-president, Mr Abdurrahman Wahid, sacked him from the same post in June.
Mr Yusuf Kalla (59), a trade and industry minister sacked by Mr Wahid in April 2000, was appointed co-ordinating minister for people's welfare.
Professionals dominated the top posts. Political appointees, included in recognition of the cross-party support Megawati enjoyed in her rise to power, were found among the state ministers.
"In the economic sector, the main issues to be addressed by the new cabinet will be the rupiah's volatility, the problems of the national banking system and the need for investment" Ms Megawati said before announcing the line-up. The cabinet faces huge challenges - including a $140 billion foreign debt, rising unemployment, and double-digit inflation.