Bouterse reshuffles permanent secretaries

(de Ware Tijd) THE HAGUE — After the political reshuffling of the cabinet, President Bouterse is now drastically restructuring the administrative management at the ministries. Several permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and heads of departments will face replacement.

First to go are the permanent secretary and his deputy at the Ministry of Zonal Planning, Land and Forest Management (RGB) as well, as the head of the land office. There are also changes in the pipeline at the Ministry of Public Works. De Ware Tijd has learnt that former VHP politician Vijai Chotkan will soon be the new right hand man of Public Works Minister Ramon Abrahams. Changes are also expected at Home Affairs. Gilly van Holt of the Desi Bouterse Commission, a NDP affiliate, who is well-informed on the issue, could not confirm whether the move on Shyam Sardjoe, Inspector of Sales Tax, is part of the strategy. He assures that there will be no lay-offs, ‘the officials will simply be reassigned.’

The NDP politician points out that some 5,000 people were hired by the Nieuw Front Administration in positions they could barely manage. This backfires now on the Bouterse Administration because it causes quite some delays in the government’s plans. Van Holt says the President has the authority to make changes in the administrative management of the government. ‘It is no rancor, because we won’t fire anyone, contrary to the Nieuw Front policy,’ Van Holt points out. The changes at RGB are a special case. Permanent secretary Glenn Redjopawiro is affiliated to coalition partner Pertjajah Luhur, while other officials in charge of the management belong to the other coalition partner KTPI. ‘We have to make both parties aware that things can’t go on like this any longer, because it slows down the government’s plans.’

Minister of RGB Ginmardo Kromosoeto and Pertjajah Luhur chair Paul Somohardjo could not be reached for comment.