Inspector general calls for sacking of inefficient staff

JAKARTA (JP): A high ranking official representing the Ministry of Home Affairs called yesterday for unproductive officials to be sacked.

The ministry's inspector general, Soedardjat Nataatmadja, also said the city should avoid unnecessary expenditure from its Rp 3.2 trillion (US$1.3 billion) city budget.

He said the budget, the highest of all provinces, would be ineffective if managed by unprofessional and inefficient staff.

He said the ministry formed a special team to evaluate Surjadi Soedirdja's governorship, from yesterday until May 5.

This is because Surjadi's five-year term ends on Oct. 6. Surjadi was inaugurated as Jakarta Governor on Oct. 6, 1992.

"Officials who complicate services by creating complicated procedures, collecting levies, or asking for bribes, should be got rid of because their practices cause a high cost economy and weaken the city's competitiveness," Soedardjat said in a meeting with the Governor. Other meetings with lower ranking officials will follow.

He said a nation's competitiveness was not just determined by its ability to produce good quality products and services. It was also determined by good administration.

Soedardjat said the public seemed to have the impression that the municipality spent its budget on low priority activities.

"Even though their impressions are not always correct, unnecessary expense should be prevented," Soedardjat said.

He said Surjadi was a good leader who paid attention to low income people. Surjadi had integrity and a good work ethos, he said. Good leadership was important for the capital, he said.

"As a good leader, the governor should be able to encourage officials to give a strong commitment to improving service. But if they do not, he should take strong action against them," Soedardjat said.

Yesterday's meeting was arranged for Surjadi to explain to the team his governorship. Also present were city council spokesman M.H. Ritonga and other city officials.

Soedardjat said officials should not abuse their power for personal advantage.

"There should be a law to protect people from irresponsible officials who abuse their power, such as by changing the spatial plan for their own benefit," Soedardjat said.

Officials like this disadvantaged the city and reduced the municipality's income from fees, he said.

The special team, he said, would also evaluate the governor's policies and their impact.

"Basically, the evaluation is intended to analyze whether the development under his governorship was based on the right priorities," Soedardjat said.

He said if the city developments has had a positive impact the policies should be continued. If not, they should be improved.

The evaluation report will be given to President Soeharto by the Minister of Home Affairs, Soedardjat said. It will be used to assess whether Surjadi should be reelected or replaced.

In his written response, Surjadi said the municipality had a strong will to improve the quality of its officials and take stern action against offenders.

He said the municipality was processing 647 complaints about its officials. Six hundred and thirty were processed during a recent internal investigation by the City's Inspectorate Office. (ste/11)