Golkar cadres told to improve conduct
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has urged city councilors from the ruling Golkar faction to improve their knowledge of city issues and maintain a close relationship with those in the low-income bracket.
"Councilors should not speak out just for the sake of it. Think carefully about what you're going to say, because if you talk inaccurately, it will come back to haunt you later," Surjadi said Tuesday.
He cited the example of a councilor who did not have enough information about a certain problem but regularly commented on it, adding that kind of habit was dangerous and could mislead people.
The outgoing governor was speaking at the Golkar city cadres' meeting at the Hotel Horizon, North Jakarta. Almost all the Golkar city councilors and officials attended.
Surjadi said the Golkar cadres had to have broader views in coping with the city's problems and people's aspirations.
"People now have greater social and political awareness. Don't underestimate them. They demand us, as cadres, to act and behave properly. People will look up to us so don't disappoint their expectations," he said.
Surjadi underlined the importance of maintaining a close relationship with "little" people. "You can learn much from them. Their aspirations cannot be ignored. Remember, development is meant for the people, not just for the interests of some groups."
Human resources
The governor stressed the importance of maintaining high quality and well-disciplined human resources.
Surjadi also criticized Golkar councilors who turned up to events late, delayed completing work and seemed uncommitted to undertaking their duties properly.
"These bad habits should be stopped. Don't attend a meeting only if the chief comes. Be more active and mingle more with the people. If you don't want to learn something, how can you be a good cadre?" Surjadi said.
He said that if the Golkar cadres only thought of their own interests, they were no longer worthy to be the people's representatives.
"That is why the cadres, both city officials and councilors, must try to improve their standards. Don't just go with the flow. Think of what is the best for the people."
He also reiterated his support for the National Discipline Movement, launched by President Soeharto in May, 1995.
"I understand the difficulties in publicizing the movement. It's hard, because we have to force ourselves to follow the rules. And I know, we often face lucrative offers that might tempt us to break the rules. This habit must also be stopped," he said.
The way to stop the bad habits, Surjadi said, was to cut out bureaucratic red tape, create open communications between all parties, maximize the cadres' role as policy maker and maintain a balance between the executive (officials) and the legislature (the councilors). (07)