A poor example

A poor example

Everything is relative, so the popular saying goes. What is a
luxury item to one person -- like a Rp 300 million late model
imported German BMW 318i, for example -- may be a mere trifle to
another.

Drawing from this line of reasoning, Attorney General Andi M.
Ghalib's recent presentation of such cars to several of his
deputies is entirely understandable. In the feudal New Order
mind-set perpetuated during the past 30 years among Indonesian
officialdom, bureaucrats embody state power and are entitled to
be bestowed with special tokens of rank and dignity. It is all
part of the package of power.

This probably explains why, even under present crisis
conditions, the attorney general seemed to feel it was entirely
natural to ask the public to "understand" this act of what most
Indonesians certainly would regard as luxury goods of the highest
order, if not an extravagance. His subordinates need them so they
can better perform their professional duties, with the aforesaid
dignity befitting their status, of course, although this was left
unsaid.

While there is no reason to doubt that the attorney general
had only the best intentions in mind when he made the
presentation and when he asked the public for their
understanding, the unfortunate and unavoidable impression left is
that living extravagantly is the norm for top officials, even in
a sobering crisis.

It is a painful conclusion to arrive at, considering that
about half the country's population is living below the poverty
line due to the economic breakdown. And it makes a mockery of the
calls made by various officials, up to President B.J. Habibie,
for Indonesians to live frugally to help themselves and others
laid low by economic turmoil.

This also explains the outcry which Ghalib's act has caused
despite his appeal for understanding, not only among the public
at large, but among members of the House of Representatives,
professionals and community leaders as well.

It would have been easier for the public to accept and
understand had the Attorney General's Office and the deputy
attorney generals in question been able to satisfy people's
demands for a speedy and thorough investigation of all acts of
corruption, collusion and nepotism that people suspect have been
committed under Soeharto's New Order regime. Instead, Indonesians
have been frustrated by what they perceive as sluggishness at
best, and intentional foot-dragging at worst, in the
investigation.

We are not against government officials receiving their due
benefits or rewards. Incentives and rewards have their place in
government offices as anywhere else. However, considerations of
performance and propriety must not be overlooked, especially
where the spending of public money is involved. In the present
environment of unrest and destitution, it is disturbing indeed to
see that a sense of crisis and emergency still eludes the higher
echelons of our bureaucracy.

With the glare of public attention shining on him, it is now
up to Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib to either establish a good
name for his office or allow it to be irrevocably spoiled.