Inspector general calls for sacking of inefficient staff

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)