Bad public officials must go

Bad public officials must go

From Koran Tempo

Some people with a preconceived notion of President Megawati Soekarnoputri must have cynically looked upon her request that public officials incapable of carrying out their duties resign. Few public officials realize that they are not fit for their positions.

It must be borne in mind, however, that this request came from the President of the country and will therefore have an administrative effect on the evaluation of public officials. I believe we will shortly see changes in strategic positions in order to ensure that qualified and professional people will be put in the right jobs.

In this context, it is advisable that public officials who realize that they are not fit for their job tender their resignations. True that this is a rare occurrence in Indonesia, but a public official will show real heroism if he gives up his job because he realizes he is not up to it.

President Megawati's statement is a groundbreaking development for the practice of giving up your job when you are unable to fulfill its requirements. A public official who resigns because he knows he is not up to his job is a true hero of the reform movement.

Let's just wait and see how public officials respond to the President's request.

SUMARDI

Surabaya