Ministers lead by example in thrift campaign<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Following a government directive asking state officials to
\nobserve a more modest lifestyle, several Cabinet ministers went
\nabout their official duties on Wednesday in a relatively modest
\nmanner, at least judging from appearances.<\/p>\n
Most of the ministers opted to leave their suits at home and
\nwore long-sleeved shirts or traditional batik shirts on their
\nfirst day in office in 2002.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono, defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil
\nand education minister Malik Fajar spearheaded the drive by
\ndressing in more simple attire.<\/p>\n
Yudhoyono and Matori were seen wearing long-sleeved shirts
\nwhen meeting a delegation of officials from the Aceh
\nadministration, including Governor Abdullah Puteh and a number of
\nprovincial councillors who all wore suits.<\/p>\n
Malik Fajar donned a batik shirt during a post-Idul Fitri get-
\ntogether with staff at his office, in which various traditional
\nfood was served such as steamed bananas, boiled peanuts, rice
\ncake as well as tea and coffee.<\/p>\n
However, not all ministers were in a situation that befitted
\nwearing such casual attire.<\/p>\n
Minister of finance Boediono, for example, had to wear a suit
\nwhen launching the first day of trading for 2002 at the Jakarta
\nStock Exchange.<\/p>\n
The government austerity program and the directive for
\nofficials to lead a more modest lifestyle was announced recently
\nby Minister for Administrative Reform Faisal Tamin.<\/p>\n
The program includes limitations on the use of paper and
\ntelephones in offices. State officials were also asked not to
\nwear suits.<\/p>\n
Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Amien
\nRais, was seen in batik on his first day of office this year.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile several legislators at the House of Representatives
\n(DPR) building on Wednesday expressed different stances on the
\nthrift drive.<\/p>\n
Sporting a dark suit, House deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa said he
\ndisagreed with the idea of wearing a long-sleeved shirt instead
\nof a suit.<\/p>\n
\"I think members of the legislature should still wear suits
\nbecause they have to meet their respected counterparts in the
\nHouse,\" he contended.<\/p>\n
Fatwa said the thrift drive must not be reduced to symbolic
\ngestures, but should involve a change of attitude.<\/p>\n
\"In this time of crisis, we must always keep our sense of
\ncrisis. There is no need to take a long vacation,\" Fatwa told The
\nJakarta Post here on Wednesday, alluding to the year-end holiday
\nof President Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Fellow legislator Baharuddin Aritonang admitted that he used
\nto wear a short-sleeved shirt instead of suit. Only after
\nbecoming a legislator he had to change his dress habits, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Most legislators wear suits and I don't want to appear like
\nan alien at the House. That's why I often wear a suit,\" said
\nAritonang.<\/p>\n
He also criticized President Megawati for her year-end trip to
\nthe resort island of Bali, saying that the President must take
\nthe lead in the thrift drive she had introduced.<\/p>\n
Aritonang added that instead of making statements to the
\npublic Megawati should model by example how to lead a modest
\nlifestyle.<\/p>\n
\"How can Megawati talk about efficiency and take a vacation in
\nBali (accompanied by a huge entourage) immediately afterward?\" he
\nasked.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ministers-lead-by-example-in-thrift-campaign-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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