Inspectorate tasks 'must be separate'
JAKARTA (JP): The inspectorate general at government ministries should be made independent bodies to make their supervisory tasks of the ministries and their staff more effective, a former inspector said yesterday.
Soedardjat Nataatmadja, who left his job as inspector general at the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday, conceded that "our supervisory role has been less than effective".
Officials of an independent inspectorate general "will be more objective and independent in evaluating the performance of government employees within a ministry", he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony of nine senior officials of the home affairs ministry, including his successor.
The inspectorate general could improve its supervision because there would be no superior-subordinate relationship between inspectorate general officials and other employees under supervision, he said.
Soedardjat, who will be installed next week as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) representing Golkar, said his successor should increase supervision of regional affairs.
"Development programs are now being concentrated regionally. Therefore, supervision at a regional level must be strengthened," he said.
He also said that governors, regents and mayors should not behave "feudally like a king" and isolate themselves from their own people.
"A governor must act both as a father and a servant for the people. He must be close to them and communicate with them and protect them," he said when asked about his evaluation on regional government officials' performance.
The head of a province should spare more time for dialog with his people, he said.
"A governor could hold a morning dialog on a local radio station, where he could listen to people's aspirations and complaints about government services," he said.
"It would ease a governor's job a lot," he added.
Soedardjat was replaced by former assistant for personal affairs to the Armed Forces chief of general affairs, Maj. Gen. Andi Jalal Bachtiar.
Other new officials installed by Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. yesterday were:
* Maj. Gen. Achdari, formerly deputy chief of the Armed Forces Intelligence Body (BIA), as director general of sociopolitical affairs. He replaces Sutoyo N.K., who will also represent Golkar at the House beginning next week.
* Muradi Juti as a minister aide on financial affairs, replacing Birong Soangkupon Tambunan.
* Col. Abdul Kahfi Bakri, formerly Central Jakarta mayor, as Jakarta deputy governor for administrative affairs. He replaces Brig. Gen. (ret.) Idroes, who will also represent Golkar at DPR.
* Maj. Gen. (ret.) Jaelani, formerly assistant to the state minister of population, as Jakarta deputy governor for people's welfare. He replaces R.S. Museno, who will also represent Golkar at DPR.
* R. Satya Nazori, formerly secretary of the South Sumatra provincial administration, as South Sumatra deputy governor. He replaces Mohammad Arub, who will represent Golkar at the South Sumatra legislative council.
* Soenarko, chairman of the State Employees Administration Agency, as secretary-general of the Indonesian Civil Servants Corps. He replaced Waskito Reksosoedirdjo.
* Amur Muchasim, formerly Central Sulawesi provincial administration secretary, as deputy secretary-general of the General Elections Institute. He replaces Walujo, who will represent Golkar at DPR.
* Hamid Effendi as deputy chairman of logistics and transportation of the General Elections Institute, replacing Marsono.
Yogie in his speech called for a democratic gubernatorial election nationwide.
"Do not eliminate candidates proposed by the people," he said, while referring to the planned gubernatorial elections in the provinces of Maluku, Southeast Sulawesi and West Sumatra.
Nominations should be held through local provincial legislative councils, based on the input of the people, he said. (imn)