Ministers lead by example in thrift campaign
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.