Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri on Saturday swore in Indonesia's controversial new 26-member cabinet at a ceremony at the state palace in Jakarta.
Megawati, who has been entrusted by President Abdurrahman Wahid with running the day-to-day affairs of state, presided over the ceremony with Wahid standing to one side.
A presidential decree outlining the work-sharing agreement between the two leaders was also read out at the ceremony by assistant cabinet secretary Erman Rajagukguk.
Wahid, who is clinically blind, was then assisted by a military aide as he moved among the new ministers and their families, shaking their hands and congratulating them.
The ceremony, which was broadcast live by state television, came after widespread criticism of the cabinet lineup, especially the economic team, caused a sharp fall in stock prices and weakened the already-battered Indonesian rupiah.
Wahid has pleaded with the public to give the new team time to prove themselves – JAKARTA (AFP)
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