Megawati scolds bureaucrats

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri has reminded all first- and second-echelon officials to quit if they fail to follow the central government's policy.

"Should first- and second-echelon officials be unable to cooperate then it is better for them to quit their jobs," Megawati said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a national forestry meeting at the State Palace, Megawati said during her presidency she realized that sometimes problems were caused by bureaucrats.

"I used to scold ministers and coordinating ministers, now I am scolding the officials one level below them because misunderstandings usually come from them," Megawati said.

This is not the first time Megawati has expressed her unease over bureaucrats. She once compared most officials to garbage bins.--Antara