Latief's responsibility

As expected all along, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief finally reported to President Soeharto on the public uproar over use of Jamsostek state social security insurance funds, the widely discussed scandal.

Since the scandal was uncovered and then reported by the media, people had expected this ending. They were proven right when Latief talked to the press Wednesday after meeting with President Soeharto at his Jl. Cendana residence the day before.

Without showing any expression of either regret or guilt, Latief blithely asserted that any use of Jamsostek funds -- including to pay for the processing of the much discussed draft labor law -- must be done under presidential order.

Through that statement, Latief appeared to be declaring himself Mr. Innocent in a case that so disturbs the public's sense of justice -- and this while Latief had previously loudly declared that he was the one responsible.

Latief's statement after his meeting with the President does not convey the kind of responsibility promised. On the contrary, what we see is a shifting of responsibility. It is a pity that we cannot ask the President whether it is true that any use of Jamsostek funds, controversial or otherwise, is done at presidential order.

We have the highest respect for President Soeharto for taking responsibility. This is indeed the highest form of responsibility a leader can show toward a subordinate.

A cabinet minister, however, is a prominent figure. In his ministry, he is the leader. There is a portion of responsibility toward his superior that he cannot just simply disavow.

A cabinet minister bears the responsibility of establishing the image of the existence of a clean and authoritative government. A cabinet minister has a duty to ensure his government's credibility. A cabinet minister bears responsibilities.

This means that a particular allowance exists beyond which it is taboo for a subordinate to shift his responsibilities onto the shoulders of his superior. This is a matter of morals, not structural formalities.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta