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)