MINISTER GUARANTEES NO FRICTIONS IN CABINET

Jakarta, Feb 27 (ANTARA) - Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises Suryadharma Ali assured there would be no frictions within the United Indonesia Cabinet because the ministers had a commitment to perform their duties until the end of their tenure.
"I am sure there is no friction in the cabinet because ministers from political parties have a commitment to perform their duties until the end of their tenure," Suryadharma Ali said here on Friday.
The minister made the remarks after attending a national meeting of the Indonesian Mosque Council at the Vice Presidential office.
He said that ministers from political parties that formed the coalition in the government would continue to maintain their commitment until the end of their tasks.
But they will be free to have their own choices when the government's tenure has ended, he added.
Asked about the ministers' commitment if a coalition of political parties has been reached after the April legislative elections, the minister said it was difficult to answer.
"As a matter of fact, it is a consequence that has to be faced. The same thing also happened in 2004 (when political parties were to set up a coalition after the legislative election)," he said.
The current government will end in October 2009 while the legislative and presidential elections will be held on April 9 and July 8, 2009, respectively.***1***