Megawati criticizes local officials' plush lifestyles

Megawati criticizes local officials' plush lifestyles

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has lambasted local regional
officials and councillors for their frequent overseas trips,
saying their 'comparative studies' look more like picnics than
working visits.

She even said the local officials and councillors had brought
nothing to their constituencies.

"What they (local officials) call comparative studies, I do
not see that it gives anything necessary back to the regions,
when they stay in very plush hotels," the President said on
Wednesday, during the opening ceremony of the Sangihe-Talaud
regents development seminar at the State Palace.

She further said the officials failed to use the opportunity
to learn anything from other countries.

Megawati criticized of the plush lifestyles of many officials
such as governors, regents, councillors and mayors during an
impromptu attack.

However, the President was echoing criticism of her frequent
foreign visits, which have drawn heavy criticism from numerous
sides at home.

Like her predecessor Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, Megawati has
visited a number of countries.

Megawati was criticized for traveling with a large entourage
to South Africa, Egypt and Eastern European countries last
September while "illegal" Indonesian workers were being arrested
and beaten by Malaysia authorities as hundreds of thousands of
others fled the country.

Since taking the presidential post in July 2001, Megawati has
visited 27 countries, with large entourages consisting of her
family and friends.

Questions have also been raised about the President's
stopovers in Singapore for personal reasons. Some suspect she is
on shopping trips.

On most trips, Megawati sets aside at least one day to visit
tourist attractions or other venues, which have nothing to do
with the purpose of the trip.

The House of Representatives has repeatedly warned her to
reduce numbers in her entourage and limit her overseas journeys
as domestic matters needs more of her attention.

Despite the criticism, the President is slated to make another
six-day visit to Russia, Romania and Poland on April 21.

Many have warned the president to cancel the trip, which are
expected to spark strong criticism.

As if realizing that her comment will backfire, Megawati
blamed presidential protocol for limiting her activities during
her trips.

"The presidential protocol during my visits prevents me from
taking more time to learn about things in the foreign countries,
I used to do that when I made those visits before becoming
president," she contended.

In her speech, the President also called on the regions to
improve their public services, saying the main purpose of
implementing regional autonomy was to ensure people's welfare.

"Regional officials must remember that increased authority
means increased obligations, not just increased rights," Megawati
said, adding that regions should thoroughly address improving
health, education and other social services for their people.