Improve public service: Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto asked public service agencies to jointly publish a guide book detailing their activities.

He said the book would help improve the quality of relations between the government and the people because it would explain the services available to them.

"Actually, people don't know much about the capacity and quality of our public services," Soeharto said before conferring the Abdisatyabakti award to 140 public service offices at the State Palace.

Accompanied by State Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi, Soeharto also reminded civil servants of their duty to serve the people rather than be served.

"We must continue improving our services to anticipate people's rising demands," he said.

Analysts have said that the public service sector remains a weak point for the government as people are often forced to bribe officials for their service.

"State agencies should be able to communicate with the people on their needs and ensure they are being given the best service," Soeharto said.

The recipients of the award include West Jakarta District Court, Yohannes general hospital in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, and the government-run water enterprise Tirta Uli in Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra.

Minister Silalahi said the award is presented annually in an effort to improve the public services sector.

"This award hopes to encourage state-run offices to improve their service to the public," he said. (prb)