City officials told to act professionally

City officials told to act professionally

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso gave his first instruction to
his subordinates yesterday to act professionally and stop
commercializing their services they give to the public.

"It's common knowledge here that if people have to deal with
the city's bureaucracy, they're going to need a lot of money to
bribe officials," Sutiyoso said.

"We have to abolish this bad image," he said, adding that he
sincerely understood that city officials' small salaries tended
to be an excuse for them to receive bribes.

"But you all (the officials) already chose your way as a civil
servant. Therefore, you must take the consequences. As you are
paid by the government, it means that you are paid with the
people's money," the governor said.

Sutiyoso was responding to abundant complaints submitted by
people about poor services by city officials.

Some city officials have reportedly even asked for money in
order to do certain services.

"This is crazy. If people give money as tips, after officials
complete their services quickly and accurately, there would not
be any problem. But when officials bluntly ask for money, that's
extortion," Sutiyoso said, adding that he will not hesitate to
punish officials who were found guilty for such practices.

Sutiyoso said being professional is important. "I don't like
lazy officials. If I order something, it must be completed right
away, without delay. Don't be 'slow but sure officials'. That's
an old motto," he said.

He said that many cases, including land disputes, are
occurring because of collusion between city officials and
contractors.

"They take advantage of people's ignorance of the law and
legal documents. For instance, a group of people who have been
living on a plot of land legally for years are being evicted
simply because there are developers who can easily buy land
certificates from the officials," he said.

"Those people are later kicked out of their land and
eventually become a burden to the city. Where are they supposed
to live?" Sutiyoso asked. "This kind of practice will no longer
be tolerated during my term."

In yesterday's meeting with mayoralty officials from Central
Jakarta, Sutiyoso also pledged to continue his effort to free
river banks from illegal residents and find them decent living
arrangements.

"In Central Jakarta there are at least eight cheap apartment
complexes. We have to give our priority to relocate people who
live on river banks or for any other low-income residents to live
in these apartments.

"I have instructed my officials to build decent apartments
near working areas, so they don't have to commute," he said.

Among the apartments located in Central Jakarta are Benhil I,
Benhil II, Kemayoran, Jati Baru, Petamburan and Tanah Abang.

Regreening

Sutiyoso also strived to continue the regreening campaign. "I
urge people to plant trees in their yards, especially for offices
and other commercial sites," he said, adding that the trees must
be able to absorb air pollution.

"Do not plant popular Akasia or Angsana tree species as they
are not effective. They easily grow, but in the dry season, their
leaves fall. So, it is no use to plant them because they can't
retain dust or air pollution," he said.

Sutiyoso also ordered building owners to grow trees in their
parking lots. "I don't want to inaugurate any building which has
limited green area. The developers are rich people. Why can't
they plant trees? A healthy environment is meant for our own
sake," he said.

Sutiyoso said if the regreening campaign turns out to be a
success, the municipality would set free a thousand birds in
Jakarta's sky. "So they can live in the trees we plant," he
added. (07)