Minister Ryaas vows to reform bureaucracy

Minister Ryaas vows to reform bureaucracy

JAKARTA (JP): Ryaas Rasyid, who will be sworn in as the new
minister for administrative reforms today, said his impending
challenge is to complete the restructuring of the administration
and reform of the bureaucracy.

"I will immediately reorganize departments and ministerial
offices in line with the new cabinet structure.

"Several directorates general will likely be phased out but
several new ones may be established. The restructuring will also
change the present composition of staff in the bureaucracy," he
said during a meeting with the press at his office here on
Friday.

He stated that the government would propose a new policy to
tackle the overstaffing prevalent in almost all departments.

"Such overstaffing could give rise to a major problem if it is
not handled prudently," he said, referring to labor problems
which resulted from the dissolution of the information and social
welfare ministries last November.

He said the government would likely offer a golden handshake
as compensation for state officials whose positions are phased
out and early retirement for civil servants aged between 40 and
50 years old.

"State officials and civil servants who want to voluntarily
avail of the early retirement scheme will be given a higher level
of compensation so that they may develop their entrepreneurial
abilities in the private sector," he said.

Ryaas added that the restructuring program was aimed at
creating a more effective and efficient administration and
improving service to the public.

He acknowledged that his new job would be very difficult
because of the incompleteness of the restructuring program and
the fact that the bureaucracy has remained immune from the reform
movement.

"It is my overriding concern that the bureaucracy be reformed.
The prevalent corrupt, collusive and nepotistic practices must be
curbed in order to restore the bureaucracy's tarnished image and
improve its performance," he said.

He added that the training system for bureaucrats needs
revising and training programs should be intensified so as to
enhance professionalism.

Disappointment

Ryaas, former rector of the state-run Institute of Public
Administration (IIP), said he was not disappointed with his
appointment as state minister for administrative reforms because
the new job is actually in line with his expertise.

"Frankly, I'm not disappointed with my new job," he said.

He declined to comment on reports that he planned to quit the
Cabinet after learning that he was given the administrative
reforms portfolio.

He admitted, however, that he accepted the new post for the
sake of the government and the people.

"Of course, there is a logic in politics... Over the last ten
months I have been entrusted with the task of handling the
regional autonomy issue and I feel that I should be allowed to
continue to do so until regional autonomy is fully put in place
next January. But, the President has a different idea and logic,"
he said.

Ryaas admitted that both he and Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri had some objections to the Cabinet lineup but they
finally accepted it for the sake of the nation.

"Mega thinks of the government's credibility and is committed
to maintaining political stability," said Ryaas, who stated that
he was sure he would be named the new minister of home affairs
hours before the Cabinet lineup was announced on Wednesday. (rms)