Feisal criticizes ministers who have yet to show modesty

Feisal criticizes ministers who have yet to show modesty

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin expressed
concern on Friday over the reluctance among some of his
colleagues to abandon suits and ties despite the government's
newly launched drive for modest lifestyles.

"Symbolically, they have not shown any solidarity (in
supporting the drive)," Feisal said after meeting with nearly 100
first-echelon officials who hold top-rank positions, ranging from
ministry directors general and secretaries general to secretaries
to coordinating ministers.

During the meeting Feisal explained instructions he had issued
on Dec. 24, 2001, which were aimed at reducing what was termed
unnecessary consumption.

The instructions, issued by the state minister of
administrative reforms, place limits on use of stationery and set
out typing guidelines designed to save paper.

The instructions also stipulate guidelines for modest
lifestyles among state officials and ministries, which includes
toning down office anniversaries to mere flag-raising ceremonies,
as parties were now strictly prohibited.

The dress code for state officials is also toned down for most
occasions, from the customary suit and tie to short- or long-
sleeved dress shirts to at least give the impression of modesty.

The instructions, contained in the state ministry's regulation
No. 357/2001, fully backed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri
according to Feisal, were designed to enhance efficiency in all
government offices.

However, Feisal said, there were still three ministers who
wore suits at a Cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat in
Jakarta on Thursday.

"Without suits do they feel that they are no longer
ministers?" he asked, observing that they had worn such clothes
because they had just attended other events.

In the meeting with Feisal the first-echelon officials pledged
to abide by the instructions and start the efficiency drive with
themselves.

"They promised to stick to the regulation," Feisal said, as
quoted by Antara.

He said, as an example, that first-echelon officials should
travel economy class on airplanes for official visits and no
longer use business or executive class, as was common previously.

"Economy class is quite sufficient," he said, quoting the
officials' pledge.

When asked about the efficacy of the drive, which has been
questioned by many observers, Feisal explained it by referring to
the efficiency measures at his office as an example.

On telephone bills alone, his office had saved about Rp 21
million (US$2,000) over the last three months, he said, without
saying whether the efficiency regulations had been applied in his
office three months earlier.

He explained that his office had managed to save up to Rp 13.5
million per month on the use of paper.

"How much could be saved if all government offices and
institutions, both in the capital and the regions, cut their
expenditure on telephone use, electricity, paper and other
things?" he asked.