We're masters: President, legislators are our servants!<\/p>\n
Patrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta,
\nttpguntensperger@hotmail.com<\/p>\n
It is said that people get the government they deserve. If
\nthere is any merit to that observation, perhaps we ought to ask
\nourselves, what kind of a government do we in Indonesia deserve?<\/p>\n
I was struck by a number of reports in the press in recent
\nweeks that tell us something, if not about the kind of government
\nwe deserve, at least about the kind of government we are likely
\nto get as a result of this year's general elections. One report
\nthat is germane was the result of a poll that indicated that less
\nthan half of eligible Indonesian voters knew what date the
\nelections are to be held.<\/p>\n
Given the vigorous campaigning and the acrimony of the op-ed
\npieces as they fly back and forth, that figure is surprising, not
\nto say disappointing. Given the fact that these particular
\nelections will set the course of this country in the twenty-first
\ncentury, that number is appalling. Given the fact that there is
\nan enormously high rate of dissatisfaction, characterized by a
\ngreat deal bitching and complaining about the current state of
\naffairs in Indonesia, that number is infuriating.<\/p>\n
Another report that is relevant here is one that tells us that
\nof five hundred elected legislators, only fifty bothered to show
\nup for the House Speaker's closing speech at the plenary meeting
\nof the legislature's final session prior to the elections.
\nEarlier in the day, while important government work was being
\ndealt with, only 187 representatives were present.<\/p>\n
Of course that didn't prevent 251 representatives from signing
\nthe attendance lists. That means that the vast majority of our
\nrepresentatives just couldn't be bothered to do their jobs at
\nall. It also means that 64 members of our House of
\nRepresentatives have been caught lying to their constituents
\nabout the performance of their duties and are guilty of
\nfalsifying government records.<\/p>\n
Doesn't this level of dishonesty and irresponsibility suggest
\nthat we might consider a little more closely whom we support to
\nrepresent us in government? This brings us back to the original
\nobservation about getting the government we deserve.<\/p>\n
Since the voters apparently couldn't care less about what goes
\non in the legislature (as borne out by the apathetic interest in
\nthe elections), is it reasonable to expect the legislators
\nthemselves to care? Why should they do any more than the bare
\nminimum required to permit them to line up at the public trough?
\nThey know that they'll keep their jobs, because nobody really
\nexpects them to do any work.<\/p>\n
Another report in the news is relevant here. In this report,
\ngreat concern is expressed that incumbent officials who are not
\nup for re-election are likely to step up their collection of
\ngraft to new levels. Observers expect that these lame-duck
\ngovernment officers will start raking it in with both hands,
\nrecognizing that this is their last chance to pad their
\nretirement funds. (The good news is that we probably wouldn't
\nnotice the difference). Why do we put up with that?<\/p>\n
Why on earth don't we scream at the top of our lungs when we
\nare held up like that? A public official who behaves as we
\npredict, and engages in theft from the people who elected him
\nshould be in jail. That kind of betrayal is contemptible.<\/p>\n
Not only should a thief like that be charged with a crime, he
\nshould be held up and publicly vilified. He should be banned from
\nholding any public office in the future and, after serving a
\nprison term, he should be treated like a social leper and
\ndespised by the community.<\/p>\n
If we don't rebel against this entirely predictable
\ncorruption, we are telling those who will replace the current
\nthieves that we expect them to steal as well and that we will
\nreward their efforts. We will reward our betrayers not only with
\nmoney and a career, but also with respect, deference and high
\nsocial standing. Do we enjoy bending over so that cheap little
\ngangsters can kick us while they steal from us?<\/p>\n
A paradigm shift is required in Indonesia. In a democracy in
\nthe twenty-first century, there is no reason for a citizen to be
\nreduced to the status of a forelock-tugging suppliant. The
\ncitizens are entitled to the highest standards of performance and
\nintegrity on the part of their employees.<\/p>\n
Repeat out loud: "Public servants are our servants!" Keep
\nsaying it until it makes sense. We are the masters and this is
\nour house. We are not subservient to those whom we pay to serve
\nus. They must be subservient to us. We don't bribe them to do
\ntheir jobs...they look for opportunities to serve us. They are
\ntreated with courtesy. We are treated with deference. If they
\ndon't do their jobs, they are thrown out. If they steal, they go
\nto jail.<\/p>\n
Every individual in Indonesia must assume responsibility for
\nensuring that our servants...our police, politicians, public
\nworks employees, government office staff etc. etc...do their jobs
\nefficiently, courteously and honestly. If a situation is
\nencountered where these standards are not met, it is our duty to
\ndo something about it. Until that kind of thinking comes
\nnaturally to us, we will continue to get the government we
\ndeserve.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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