A matter of integrity and competence

A matter of integrity and competence

Prijono Tjiptoherijanto, Jakarta

A shocking report appeared in The Jakarta Post of Wednesday,
Nov. 23, 2005. Minister of Industry Andung Nitimihardja
embarrassed President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono while on a visit
to the largest company industry in India, Infosys Technologies,
Ltd., last Monday. After corporate executives' explanations, the
ministers in the presidential entourage asked some questions. But
what Minister Andung meant in the question he raised was
completely incomprehensible not only to the leadership of Infosys
Technologies but also to the audience. It was not clear whether
the question itself was obscure, or whether the minister's
command of English was poor.

A mastery of foreign languages is not a prerequisite to become
a minister. However, an appropriate level of skill in speaking a
foreign language widely used by most nations of the world should
belong to a high ranking public official. This is particularly
true of a minister because in the relations with his or her
foreign counterparts, relying on the mother tongue alone is
certainly impossible. Therefore, an adequate knowledge of a
foreign language is essential.

Apart from communication skills, an official must possess
integrity. This attitude has to be demonstrated through
transparency and avoidance of public deception. It means that a
high official should be able to display his or her own
personality as it is, without attempting to hide anything, and he
of course should not commit acts that may cause disgrace. One
such act is plagiarism.

In the initial formation of the United Indonesia Cabinet, an
issue came to light alleging plagiarism by a certain minister.
The issue faded, but the academic community did not let it go. So
the controversy went on, especially following a suit filed by the
party whose work was apparently copied.

Finally, academicians represented by the professorial senate
acquired irrefutable evidence of plagiarism. University
leadership confirmed the finding. Nonetheless, the issue seemed
to disappear into the wind. Sadly, there was no follow-up.

Members of the government and Cabinet -- including the
President who holds a doctorate -- should have the quality and
credibility worthy of the nation's pride. Each member of the
Cabinet should fulfill at least three requirements: Integrity,
intellectuality and independence. It implies that a minister
should have strong personal character, avoid indecision, maintain
a firm attitude and resist the lure of wealth and status.

Besides, a minister should be well versed in the relevant
field, have high intellectual capacity, broad horizons, and
demonstrate statesmanship and the ability to communicate and
explain ideas in a consistent and logical way.

Under current political circumstances, it is in fact difficult
to find public officials with such a complete combination of
qualities that make up the three major personal traits. But
citizens of this type are available. Of Indonesia's population of
over 220 million, there must be at least 30 to 40 people having
the three laudable features of individual excellence.

The problem is whether there is the will to search for them.
Is there any determination to follow the voice of conscience and
reject certain people pushing candidates who perhaps fall short
of the three main requirements? Is there any motivation to
promptly make decisions without hesitating about slight errors?
But most of all, is there the readiness, motivation and
capability to introduce change?

The writer is professor of human resource economics at the
University of Indonesia