Haste makes waste<\/p>\n
Leaders should lead by example. And the thriftiness of a
\ngovernment plays an exemplary role in setting the pace of a
\nnation's consumptive habits.<\/p>\n
Ideally we wish to see an efficient, responsive, thrifty
\ngovernment that provides all the services needed -- not
\nnecessarily demanded -- by its citizens.<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's instruction to the
\nbureaucracy to begin conserving energy deserves recognition. At
\nthe same time it also warrants plenty of critique.<\/p>\n
Essentially, any conservation efforts should be supported. Not
\nonly do such measures help economize on public spending and shun
\nexcessive consumption, but they are also environmentally
\nfriendly.<\/p>\n
No one could argue that there are countless ways the
\ngovernment can be more efficient. It is even more pertinent now
\ngiven the nation's economic challenges, especially the
\nintermittent shortages of fuel.<\/p>\n
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro
\neven boasted that the government was \"upbeat\" that fuel-
\nconservation directives within the government could even reduce
\nfuel consumption by 5 percent to 10 percent.<\/p>\n
We are hopeful, but not as confident, and even doubtful, of
\nthe short to medium term impact of these directives.<\/p>\n
The President's instruction seems to be yet another move seen
\nas a reaction to a predicament that arises without a well thought
\nout plan.<\/p>\n
Cost-cutting and efficiency measures should be part of a
\nlarger policy paradigm. One cannot simply tell nearly four
\nmillion bureaucrats to cut down on expenses overnight.<\/p>\n
The government's latest initiative is predictably tired,
\nmechanical, across-the-board cuts. It does not, for example,
\nfirst examine how such cuts will impact the already notoriously
\npoor services provided by the civil service. Nor does it
\ncarefully measure the consequence of the cuts in fulfilling
\noverall targets set by the government at the beginning of its
\nterm.<\/p>\n
Turning off the air-conditioner, or showing up to work without
\na suit is by itself not a sign of prudent government consumption.<\/p>\n
Just because civil servants are now perspiring more (due to
\nthe frugal use of air-conditioners) does not mean they are
\nworking harder or more efficiently.<\/p>\n
Instead of arbitrarily telling officials to embark on
\nconservation measures and cut up to 10 percent of fuel
\nconsumption, it would have been more strategic for the President
\nat the beginning of his term to instruct the government to work
\nwith just 90 percent of the allocated budget appropriated.<\/p>\n
Such a dramatic approach to budgeting and planning would have
\nbeen more effective than the knee-jerk response currently being
\ntouted.<\/p>\n
It would methodically introduce conservation measures and at
\nthe same time allow the government to achieve its promised
\ntargets without compromising the mobility and vitality of the
\npublic service.<\/p>\n
Other public measures -- not just to conserve fuel and
\nelectricity -- on a short and long term basis could also be
\napplied fairly to the general population. This could include
\nprogressive taxation for automobiles, water conservation, the
\npromotion of alternative fuels, improvement of public
\ntransportation, etc.<\/p>\n
In addition to solving immediate budgetary problems it is
\nreasonable to suggest that this result-based conservation process
\nwill help reinforce the belief that the government not only cares
\nbut is taking consistent steps to spend wisely.<\/p>\n
Susilo should not simply look at abating critics under the
\npretext of having \"a sense of crisis\".<\/p>\n
Legitimate conservation efforts are part of a cultural habit.
\nAny success in imposing such measures in the short term will be
\nfleeting. The government should look toward a comprehensive
\neffort that can be embraced and accepted by a population --
\nmeasures which in four years time will reduce pollution levels,
\nconserve energy consumption, cut down on public expenditure and
\nstop waste.<\/p>\n
The President should learn what other democratically elected
\nleaders have known for a long time: The more thrifty a government
\nbecomes, the more generous voters are at the ballot box.<\/p>",
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