Civil servants skip work after Idul Fitri holiday

Civil servants skip work after Idul Fitri holiday

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon

Apparently not satisfied with their extended holiday to celebrate
Idul Fitri, most civil servants in Cirebon, West Java, stuck to
their old habits on Tuesday by skipping work.

Of nearly 8,000 civil servants in Cirebon, only a few hundred
turned up for work on the first day back after the holiday.

And those who reported for work did little except chat and
read newspapers.

"How can we start working if the offices are locked? The keys
are kept by either our superiors or the security guards," said an
official with the local office of the Ministry of Resettlement
and Regional Infrastructure.

A similar situation prevailed in City Hall on Jalan Siliwangi.

Some officials turned up for work, but later went home as most
of the offices were still locked.

Cirebon Mayor Lesmana Suriatmadja was not to be seen at his
office on Tuesday. Journalists said it was impossible to contact
him.

"His office is empty. I can't contact him by telephone," said
Rohlani Mawardi, a journalist with the Pos Kota daily.

Local council speaker Suryana condemned the absenteeism,
saying that the mayor should be held accountable.

"I myself have been checking up on government offices. There's
nothing happening in most of them," he complained.

According to Suryana, there are about 8,000 civil servants who
work in government offices in the municipality. But, only a few
of them understand that they are paid by the taxpayers.

He condemned the lack of dedication on the part of civil
servants in the city.

Suryana also criticized his fellow legislators who failed to
show up for work. None of the city's 30 councillors were to be
seen in the council building on Tuesday.

"What will happen if government officials and public
representatives keep on shirking their duties? I can't get into
my office as the building is still locked," Suryana added.