Yudhoyono's "Complaint" Against Transition Team Draws Criticism

Jakarta, Sept 9 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s reaction to "wrong step" allegedly taken by Joko Widodo`s Team of Transition has drawn criticism. Yudhoyono should have addressed his complaints directly to the president elect instead of speaking publicly about it, chairman of the Trisakti Study Center Rian Andi Soemarno said. The issue should not be made a public consumption triggering political uproar and polemics, Rian said here on Tuesday. He said the Team of Transition is formed to create a smooth transfer of power from the Yudhoyono administration to a new government under Joko Widodo (Jokowi). In a cabinet meeting earlier, Yudhoyono said he received report from his subordinates and state companies about a team of transition inviting them to discuss certain issues without naming the team members. The president described the move as an intervention, as if there had been joint administration (between the outgoing and the coming governments). "If anyone think that the current government is a joint government it is a mistake," Yudhoyono said. The Jokowi`s Team of Transition denied the suggestion about joint administration and any intention of intervention. It asked the president to name the members of the "alleged team" inviting government officials and state companies to discuss certain issues. Rian said the polemic about the issue could lead to perception that the Team of Transition had become a "Team of Transactions". "Since it is not clear the individuals to whom the accusation is addressed let us just think positively," he said. He said the public had the impression that "political smoke bombs" was being exploded to turn the public attention from the Jero Wacik corruption case. Jero Wacik, the energy and mineral resources minister, who is a high ranking official of the ruling Democrat Party, has been named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission.