Ministers lead by example in thrift campaign

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Following a government directive asking state officials to observe a more modest lifestyle, several Cabinet ministers went about their official duties on Wednesday in a relatively modest manner, at least judging from appearances.

Most of the ministers opted to leave their suits at home and wore long-sleeved shirts or traditional batik shirts on their first day in office in 2002.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil and education minister Malik Fajar spearheaded the drive by dressing in more simple attire.

Yudhoyono and Matori were seen wearing long-sleeved shirts when meeting a delegation of officials from the Aceh administration, including Governor Abdullah Puteh and a number of provincial councillors who all wore suits.

Malik Fajar donned a batik shirt during a post-Idul Fitri get- together with staff at his office, in which various traditional food was served such as steamed bananas, boiled peanuts, rice cake as well as tea and coffee.

However, not all ministers were in a situation that befitted wearing such casual attire.

Minister of finance Boediono, for example, had to wear a suit when launching the first day of trading for 2002 at the Jakarta Stock Exchange.

The government austerity program and the directive for officials to lead a more modest lifestyle was announced recently by Minister for Administrative Reform Faisal Tamin.

The program includes limitations on the use of paper and telephones in offices. State officials were also asked not to wear suits.

Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Amien Rais, was seen in batik on his first day of office this year.

Meanwhile several legislators at the House of Representatives (DPR) building on Wednesday expressed different stances on the thrift drive.

Sporting a dark suit, House deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa said he disagreed with the idea of wearing a long-sleeved shirt instead of a suit.

"I think members of the legislature should still wear suits because they have to meet their respected counterparts in the House," he contended.

Fatwa said the thrift drive must not be reduced to symbolic gestures, but should involve a change of attitude.

"In this time of crisis, we must always keep our sense of crisis. There is no need to take a long vacation," Fatwa told The Jakarta Post here on Wednesday, alluding to the year-end holiday of President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Fellow legislator Baharuddin Aritonang admitted that he used to wear a short-sleeved shirt instead of suit. Only after becoming a legislator he had to change his dress habits, he said.

"Most legislators wear suits and I don't want to appear like an alien at the House. That's why I often wear a suit," said Aritonang.

He also criticized President Megawati for her year-end trip to the resort island of Bali, saying that the President must take the lead in the thrift drive she had introduced.

Aritonang added that instead of making statements to the public Megawati should model by example how to lead a modest lifestyle.

"How can Megawati talk about efficiency and take a vacation in Bali (accompanied by a huge entourage) immediately afterward?" he asked.