Govt pays more attention on public services, civil servants

Govt pays more attention on public services, civil servants

Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With the intention of improving the people's welfare, the
government is to increase next year's budgets for ministries and
state agencies that provide the basic public services of
education, security, health and infrastructure, as well as to
increase civil servants' basic salaries.

The government, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono outlined in
his presentation of the 2006 state budget draft before a House of
Representatives plenary session on Tuesday, would also allocate
more funds for the country's regions in line with the regional
autonomy policy.

Susilo said that several ministries -- namely the education
ministry, the National Police, the defense ministry, the health
ministry and the public works ministry -- would have a relatively
larger budget ceiling to finance their strategic operational and
non-operational activities than those of this year's.

Realizing the importance of the ministry of national education
in the development of the country's human resources, some Rp 31.5
trillion has been set aside for the ministry next year, a nearly
21 percent increase from this year's budget allocation.

To enhance national security, the government will increase its
budget for the National Police by nearly 18 percent to Rp 13.2
trillion next year -- allocated for programs not only to improve
police facilities and equipment, but to also improve the quality
of officers through training and education.

For defense, Susilo, who is a retired Army general, mentioned
that the ministry of defense would get 7 percent more in its
budget, totaling Rp 23.6 trillion.

Public health services were also of concern to Susilo, as he
set aside Rp 11.5 trillion for the Ministry of Health, a rise of
4.5 percent as compared to last year.

"It will be used to continue the free health services for the
poor, enhance the service quality, prevent and eradicate diseases
and improve people's nutrition," he said.

The ministry of public works will also receive as much as the
National Police -- Rp 13.2 trillion -- although the funds, which
will be used for the building and maintenance of roads, bridges
and irrigation canals, as well as flood control and coastal
security programs, will actually be a decrease from this year's
budget allocation of Rp 18.5 trillion.

The government is also planning to give a salary increase of
between 5 to 20 percent and a yearly bonus of a month's pay to
civil servants , military and police officers, with a priority
given to the lower group of staff.

Ministry of Finance Jusuf Anwar said after the President's
address that the plan was intended to improve the welfare of
state staff members amid a lately rising trend in inflation, as
well as to create a more just salary structure.

"With the scheme, the monthly pay of the lowest ranking civil
servant will be at least Rp 1 million, excluding the yearly
bonus," he said.

Susilo further said the government would disburse more funds
to the regions in line with regional autonomy, set at Rp 184.2
trillion next year, or a 24 percent increase from this year's
budget.

The funds will consist of Rp 126.2 trillion in general
allocation funds, Rp 49.3 trillion in revenue sharing, Rp 5.5
trillion in special allocation funds and Rp 3.1 trillion in
special autonomy and adjustment funds.

"The regional autonomy is the government's response to
regional aspirations expecting more participation and
independence in providing public service and regional
development. I expect the funds will be used in the most
beneficial manner," Susilo said.