Govt to remove immigration chief to improve service

JAKARTA (JP): The government has announced it will replace the current director general of immigration, Maj. Gen Muhammad Mudakir, saying the position needs someone "with good discipline and strong mental character".

Speaking after a meeting with Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa said he would name candidates for the position as soon as possible.

"Because it concerns services to the public, we need to have a person with good discipline and strong mental character in the office," Lopa said.

The office's performance needed a thorough overhaul, he said, including the way it dealt with the problem of illegal immigration.

However, Lopa said nothing about the widely acknowledged rampant corruption in the office. It is well known there are many immigration officials who demand bribes for services such as issuing passports or visas.

"We are going to name the candidates as soon as possible because actually we should have replaced Pak Mudakir a long time ago," Lopa said. "It was delayed because we could not find someone fit for the position."

Asked whether he would initiate legal action against Mudakir, Lopa said it was not easy to bring people to trial without strong evidence.

He said the ministry would announce within the next month a further group of unscrupulous officials.

"We have recently announced names of aberrant officials -- 12 judges, seven court clerks and five immigration officers. We will announce more names in the future."

Lopa approved administrative sanctions against the officials last month.

However, legal experts argued the government should take harsher action, including sending them to court.

Former minister of justice and human rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra reportedly suggested to President Abdurrahman Wahid a few months ago that Mudakir be replaced, but at that time the President disagreed.

It was not clear on Monday exactly for what reasons Mudakir was being replaced.

Mudakir, who graduated from the National Military Academy in 1968, was appointed director general to replace Maj. Gen. (ret.) Pranowo. The change was made on Feb. 3, 1999, under former president B.J. Habibie.

His appointment was controversial, because it overturned Habibie's earlier choice of Lt. Gen. Jasril Yakub.

Jasril's nomination was canceled because of public protests against corruption, collusion and nepotism in the government, Jasril having been a former presidential military secretary.

The public also demanded a civilian fill the post, but the then justice minister Muladi argued that a military official was needed because the immigration chief's duties involved security issues.

Muladi said the position dealt with matters of national law enforcement, physical security, intelligence and coordination with other institutions.

But a civilian might fill the post within another four years, he said. (dja)