Savings measures good but not enough, say observers<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government won public support on Thursday for its move to
\ncut unnecessary expenditure in the bureaucracy but was reminded
\nat the same time that it needed to work much harder to combat
\nwidespread corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN).<\/p>\n
Although the austerity measures announced on Wednesday by
\nState Minister for Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin were
\nconsidered unlikely to save the state a great deal of money,
\nsupporters nonetheless said they were worth the effort.<\/p>\n
Farid R. Faqih, coordinator of Government Watch (Gowa), said
\nhe doubted that, even if well-implemented, the initiative could
\nsave Rp 1 trillion in state funds a year as the government had
\npredicted.<\/p>\n
\"The figure is nothing compared to the estimated Rp 100
\ntrillion of the (Rp 340 trillion) 2001 state budget which is
\nunaccounted for,\" Farid told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The savings measures would be worthwhile, according to former
\nminister of finance Bambang Sudibyo, if the government managed to
\neradicate the KKN practices being committed by both government
\nofficials and the business community.<\/p>\n
The measures unveiled by Feisal encourage the efficient use of
\nstate assets and the adoption of a modest lifestyle by officials.
\nThis would include avoiding the hosting of luxury parties,
\nbanning office anniversary celebrations, restricting officials'
\ntravel and limiting the use of formal attire to specific
\noccasions only.<\/p>\n
\"We welcome the move, but we would say that it is far from
\nenough. The most important thing is to stem leakages from the
\nstate budget,\" Farid said.<\/p>\n
Bambang stressed that only a strong political commitment to
\nlaw enforcement would be effective in solving the various
\nproblems facing the nation, including KKN.<\/p>\n
Yesterday (Thursday) was the first day ministers and other top
\nofficials were supposed to begin operating under the new, more
\nSpartan regime.<\/p>\n
Of all the new directives, the ruling on the official dress
\ncode was the one followed in the most haphazard fashion. A
\nnumber of people failed to abide by the code, though all of the
\noffenders were able to offer excuses.<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra
\ncontinued to wear a suit, which was \"forbidden\" under the new
\nrule, arguing that he had to do so as cabinet meetings were
\nformal occasions.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil also wore a suit, but
\nfor a different reason.<\/p>\n
\"You know I have a pot belly that hangs down conspicuously if
\nI don't wear this suit. Besides, you'll be able to see the belt
\nrunning under this flap around the waist,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He asked for more time to buy himself a more suitable shirt.<\/p>\n
Feisal reported that in the cabinet meeting all ministers took
\noff their suit jackets and sat in long sleeved shirts and ties.<\/p>\n
\"I am sure all ministers agree with me and will not wear suits
\nwhile they are working.\"<\/p>",
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