Unspecified 'technical difficulties' may delay the official announcement of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's new cabinet, according to presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng. Metro TV reported Yudhoyono was still meeting with Vice President Boediono and four aides, namely Andi, Hatta Rajasa, Djoko Suyanto and Sudi Silalahi. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had said last week he would announce the names today, one day after his inauguration for a second term as president. Andi said the announcement would take place before the Asean Summit on October 23 in Thailand. He denied the president was waiting for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) to announce whether it would join the ruling coalition. Another reason for the delay could be health issues. Detik.com quoted a source close to the president who claimed five candidates did not pass the psychological test. They were said to have unstable emotions and be unable to work under pressure. Meanwhile, two ministerial candidates have not yet been interviewed by the president. They are former Aceh-Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) head Kuntoro Mangkusubroto and Defense Ministry Secretary General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
