Efficiency drive in East Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta Mayoralty is striving to substantially slash its expenses in a number of offices in a bid to improve efficiency, mayor Sudarsono said yesterday.

"Substantial reductions in the expenses are being applied on several facilities, ranging from the use of telephones, tap water and electricity to the hiring of cleaners," Sudarsono was quoted by Antara as saying.

Efficiency in the use of telephones, for example, will be done by setting the maximum bill at Rp 80,000 (US$5.45) per line, he said, adding that any additional charges would be the responsibility of the related section.

A similar system is being applied on other facilities, mainly tap water and electricity, he said.

Commenting on the employment of cleaning service workers, Sudarsono said that the contract with the workers' provider PT Kerta Kesuma Dinawan, which used to be reviewed annually, would be reassessed on a monthly basis due to the lack of funds.

"We are maintaining the monthly contract, worth Rp 5 million, with the firm in a bid to help prevent the company from having to lay off its workers," he said.

The mayor also urged all mayoralty employees to be prepared to tidy up their own offices. (hhr)