`Spend cash on poor, not subdistrict heads'<\/p>\n
Each of the 267 subdistrict heads in the city will be given a
\nToyota Kijang car in July or August by the city administration.
\nDeputy Governor Fauzi Bowo said the cars would help facilitate
\ntheir work. However, some city residents have questioned the
\nplan, in conversation with The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Syahril (not his real name), 59, is a sidewalk vendor of soft
\ndrinks in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. He lives nearby with his
\nwife and some of the grandchildren from his three children:<\/p>\n
I don't think it's a good idea. I wonder why the city
\ngovernment intends to give cars to the subdistrict heads? I don't
\nsee the need for them, as they spend most of the time at their
\noffices, so what are the cars for?<\/p>\n
Besides, the subdistrict heads do not deserve to get cars, as
\ntheir performance is poor, let alone that of their subordinates.
\nThey're all corrupt.<\/p>\n
For instance, we have to pay quite a lot just to get an ID
\ncard, while it's supposed to be free. They accumulate a lot of
\nmoney from charging such illegal fees.<\/p>\n
They could afford to buy posh cars themselves, so it would be
\npointless to give them a new car.<\/p>\n
I think the budget could be used to finance soft loans for
\nthose on low incomes. The loans would help empower them. If only
\n(Governor) Sutiyoso thought that way -- I'd really appreciate it.<\/p>\n
Those on low incomes have a simple wish -- to live a decent,
\nhonest life, regardless of their profession. It means all they
\nwish for is affordable prices so they can get by, that's all. But
\nthe government fails to fulfill even the simplest wish of low-
\nincome people.<\/p>\n
Anung, 55, is a father of four children who lives in Kreo,
\nSouth Jakarta. He was formerly a community unit chief in Central
\nJakarta:<\/p>\n
Well, I don't see the need to give the subdistrict heads in
\nJakarta a new car each -- it's just not a high priority.<\/p>\n
I reckon that they're only really called upon to work hard
\nwhen there's flooding, voter registration or other special
\noccasions. Most of their responsibilities involve routine,
\nadministrative matters, which can be handled in the subdistrict
\noffice.<\/p>\n
Their jobs require only limited mobility, so I wonder why it's
\nnecessary to give them cars.<\/p>\n
I'd prefer it if the city governor gave them cars to encourage
\nthem to perform better. As for the governor, the subdistrict
\nheads are part of the money machine, and can collect building
\ntaxes from residents, which can run to billions of rupiah. They
\nare considered the spearhead by Sutiyoso in collecting more money
\nfrom the city.<\/p>\n
However, their performance is just not up to scratch. I mean,
\nthey're all corrupt, just like high-ranking officials in the
\ngovernment. I reckon, though, that their corruption is carried
\nout within limits so that residents don't feel too extorted when
\nthey go to them to deal with their administrative matters.<\/p>\n
All people are corrupt, so corruption has become part of our
\ndaily lives. It would be nonsensical to say that the service
\nprovided by the government is free, as officials always ask for
\nmoney and residents willingly hand it over. Thus, it's difficult
\nto judge whether or not subdistrict heads are really corrupt.<\/p>\n
Anto, 42, has one son. He helps his relatives sell chickens in
\nCempaka Baru, Central Jakarta. He lives there with his family and
\nrelatives:<\/p>\n
I think the city government's idea to give cars to all
\nsubdistrict heads in the city is just too much. I'm sure that
\nnearly all subdistrict heads are quite well-off already.<\/p>\n
It's barely credible that a poor resident would become the
\nsubdistrict head in any given area.<\/p>\n
I don't think the jobs of subdistrict heads are so hard that
\nthey need cars to perform their day-to-day tasks. I see that one
\nof the subdistrict heads where I live did hardly anything, as if
\nnothing serious needed to be dealt with in that person's daily
\nwork.<\/p>\n
Also, the areas for which they are responsible are relatively
\naccessible, even without a car.<\/p>\n
I think their poor performance in providing services to the
\npublic is always questionable. Therefore it would be reasonable
\nto say they don't deserve to get cars.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/spend-cash-on-poor-not-subdistrict-heads-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }