Discipline movement must succeed: Surjadi

Discipline movement must succeed: Surjadi

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja stressed yesterday that the National Discipline Movement drive in Jakarta cannot afford to meet with failure.

"If would be terrible if the campaign in Jakarta failed," Surjadi said during a coffee break with several top municipal administration officials yesterday.

On Saturday, President Soeharto launched a nationwide "National Discipline Movement" during National Awakening Day to encourage people to observe the basic elements of discipline and to use the Indonesian language correctly.

The basic elements of discipline include obeying traffic signs, disposing of litter in the proper place, standing in line in an orderly manner and adhering to working hours.

National Awakening Day has always been used by the government as an occasion to reinvigorate the people's nationalistic sentiments.

Yesterday, the governor also said that all city administration officials should be careful in making statements in order not to confuse the public.

"The city's policy is clear. If the matter concerns policy, only the governor or the City Hall spokesman is allowed to inform the public. Do not make any statements if you do not know anything about the matter," Surjadi told the officials.

The governor also warned the officials to be frugal with the administration's funds. As an example he cited ceremonies for planting trees. The amount of money spent for the ceremonies is often much more than that used for buying the trees, he said. "And after the ceremony, the officials concerned forget all about the trees they planted. (31)