Govt to streamline bureaucracy: Silalahi

JAKARTA (JP): The government has said it will take tough measures to streamline its bureaucracy, but stopped short of having to enforce laying off some of the four-million civil servants.

Allaying concerns of possible layoffs, State Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi said no layoffs or early retirement schemes for senior government officials would be included in the revamp policy.

He further said that streamlining would not affect public services.

"We will streamline the organization. For instance the number of director generals or inspector generals in a ministry," Silalahi said after meeting with President Soeharto at his residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

The new measure is aimed at reducing government spending on personnel, including allowances.

"We can save more if we have less structural occupations because a bureaucrat on the first echelon will receive Rp 600,000 a month alone as an allowance," Silalahi said without further elaboration.

In the 1998/1999 budget draft, the government has allocated Rp 21.9 trillion for civil servant salaries, with no increase expected in civil servant wages.

"There will be no layoffs of civil servants because we are actually still facing personnel shortages. We just need better distribution," he said.

When asked whether the new policy would cause disgruntlement or frustration among civil servants, Silalahi retorted: "As a state apparatus. As pioneers (of development) they are expected not to be frustrated!"

The minister praised Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and Commander of the Armed Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung for recently reducing the number of diplomats and military attaches abroad.

"We play a big role in international diplomacy but for the time being, at least for one or two years, we will reduce our role," said Silalahi.

He said a "shorter" and more efficient bureaucracy could help entice foreign investment.

Silalahi said the actual streamlining would not occur until a cabinet and president was installed since the current political term had just over a month to go.

"The next cabinet and president will be advised to take the streamlining measures. But preparation toward that process should be made clear now," he said.

When asked if the next cabinet would therefore be smaller than the current one, Silalahi replied: "That is not to be discussed now. The elected president will determine that."

The People's Consultative Assembly will elect the president in March. (prb)