LUKMAN HAKIM SAIFUDDIN, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTER:
We cannot be an Ali Baba

NO changes could be seen at the office of Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin. The dominant color was ivory white, with a smattering of dark brown. Framed calligraphy paintings were displayed on the right and left walls. "I am so rarely in my office, how can I have time to change the decor?" asked Lukman rhetorically. Three weeks ago, he replaced Suryadharma Ali, who has been indicted over the haj funds corruption case.

Stacks of files and documents needing his signature are piled high on his desk. "Time flies, all of a sudden it's already evening," he ruminated. His job is not an easy one, even though he has just four months to go. He compares his current position to entering a forest full of problems and having to cut down tree after tree to find his way out.

July 1, 2014