Agencies' poor service

Agencies' poor service

From Media Indonesia

State Minister of Administrative Reforms M. Feisal Tamin stated that the poor service agencies provided to the public had been going on since the New Order era.

Although the state administration has been in transition to one led by a more democratic and nationalist figure, it is seemingly difficult to change the character of the country's civil servants, who tend to treat the people as objects. On the other hand, the agencies, as service providers, apparently have become led by government officials who often ask to be serviced. It is indeed too much.

The state minister witnessed the handling of residential identity cards (KTPs) in Bandung some time ago. It caused a great concern because, of 200 people lined up requiring their KTPs to be processed, only two officers were there to serve them. So, how many hours did they have to wait for their KTPs?

There are some agency personnel who have no sense of public service, something which may be related to the remuneration they receive. Yet, their salaries and other allowances have been raised several times. Even their rice allowance have been switched with money allowances.

Such public service can also lead to corruption, collusion and nepotism. Some people, who want to get fast and easy service without the long procedures, can be prompted to provide illegal payments several times higher than the official levy.

Such a situation will create the image that there are a handful of our agencies' people who crave money.

VALERY E. SETIAWAN

Bengkulu