'Civil servants only care about money, not work'
Civil servants and legislators are notorious for their lack of discipline, something that was clearly shown on Wednesday, the first working day after the long Idul Fitri (Lebaran) holiday, when only around 1,000 out of the 5,000 City Hall employees, and 51 out of the city's 85 councillors showed up for work. The Jakarta Post asked some people to give their views on the issue.
Wanto, 27, is a sidewalk vendor selling instant noodles at Cikini, Central Jakarta. His wife and son live in Central Java:
I cannot stand these civil servants and city councillors who failed to show up on Wednesday, the first working day after the long Idul Fitri holiday.
They are called civil servants and the people's representatives, but in fact they don't represent the people's interests at all. They should be setting a good example to low- income people like me about the importance of discipline.
Ironically, it is we, the poor people, who pay their monthly salaries. I pay taxes indirectly through the daily necessities, including the instant noodles, that we buy.
Can you imagine that we actually pay these people who are so fond of neglecting their work? It just goes to show how the city councillors lack respect for the public.
If those lucky enough to work as civil servants or public representatives cannot give a good example, how are the ordinary people to behave? People like me who have no chance of landing such a cushy job. We need a good example from those privileged to have been appointed as civil servants.
Chandra, 35, is a pushcart vendor selling chicken noodles who resides in Ciledug, Tangerang:
I think most civil servants act the same way.
In my opinion, it all depends on the superior, because subordinates usually just follow what their superior does. So, in this case the superior is to blame.
I agree that they should be sanctioned for their wrongdoing. Probably the most effective sanction would be to cut their pay based on their attendance record. Otherwise, they will keep on doing it again and again.
I'm sorry to say, most civil servants are only concerned about money instead of thinking about their duties and responsibilities. They're so different to employees in the private sector, who tend to be more disciplined as regards their work.
Civil servants often neglect their duties.
Kuncoro, 34, is a civil servant in the Attorney General's Office who lives in Pondok Aren with his wife and three children:
I hate to see so many civil servants skipping work after the long holiday.
They have to be punished as they've broken the rules. I am a civil servant but I have no reason for being absent. I started working when I was supposed to even though many of my colleagues were absent.
It would be a good idea for the government to undertake a campaign to change the mentality of civil servants. They do not do their jobs well.
I hope people will be more selective in voting for their representatives (during a future election) as today's city councillors are not reliable public representatives at all.
Jiyanto, 24, has been working as a taxi driver for five years. He resides in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, with his friends:
I think, in a way, I can accept it that many civil servants and most city councillors were absent on the first working day after the Lebaran holiday.
I mean, there are a number of factors that could have led them to be absent. I guess traffic problems in returning to the city and the holiday mood were the main reasons for them to neglect their responsibilities. In such a situation, their reasons are quite understandable. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, this is common among civil servants, isn't it?
But it would be different if they don't show up until the next week. I could not tolerate that at all as they should work as they're required to.
If I were a civil servant, I would do my best regardless of the holiday mood. I mean, I would go back to work on the day I'm supposed to as I think this would be my responsibility and that's what I'd be paid for.
-- Leo Wahyudi S