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.