Balai Pustaka needs changes

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) yesterday asked Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro to reorganize the state-owned Balai Pustaka publishing company to improve its efficiency.

"It is very sad to see how things are going at the company," said Abdul Choliq Murod of House Commission IX which oversees educational affairs.

Balai Pustaka, the only state firm managed by the ministry of education and culture, is reported to have Rp 6 billion (US$2.8 million) in debts due to inefficiency.

Inefficient marketing, distribution and overall management have caused the company to stack thousands of unsold books worth billions of rupiahs.

Murod pointed out that the problems occurring in Balai Pustaka were ironic because children and schools all over the country were still in need of books and other forms of literature.

House member Paskah Suzetta said that the restructuring of Balai Pustaka should include personnel, working programs and capital.

"The government should find a way to restructure the firm without neglecting the cultural, social and historical aspects of Balai Pustaka," he said.

Balai Pustaka, established 77 years ago, began as a Dutch- founded publishing firm for Indonesian literature, printing books in Javanese, Sundanese, Melayu and Madura dialects.

After Indonesia's independence in 1945, however, its role began to subside and it has since been continually criticized for its inability to contribute revenue to the government and too much dependence on government projects since their main job is to publish government textbooks.

It has also engaged in cooperation with private publishers and distributors on a co-partnership basis.(pwn)