Bureaucratic professionalism needed

In essence, we agree with the premise offered by Prof. Emil Salim that we need a clean, sound and efficient bureaucracy. We also need businesspeople who work on a basis of good morals and ethics. In order to achieve these goals, however, more than a morality campaign is needed. A more fundamental requirement is that we honestly try to eliminate all forms of malfeasance. To achieve this, what is most urgently needed is for us to put our judicial house in order and establish professionalism in the bureaucracy.

By putting our judicial house in order, we mean we must have the courage to be consistent in fighting any irregularities without regard of position. Establishing professionalism implies employing capable people and paying them adequate salaries.

We are not saying that this is the only way to improve the situation as eradicating corruption is a gigantic and complicated job. By taking these initial steps, however, we would at least be starting part of that gargantuan job.

-- Republika, Jakarta