Latief's responsibility

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