N. Sumatra governor to form watchdog

N. Sumatra governor to form watchdog

MEDAN, North Sumatra: North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin is planning to set up an honorary council to regulate the conduct of local high-ranking civil servants.

The new body will hear complaints from community members who may object to the "morality and attitude" of officials in the province, Rizal said.

The plan, however, drew mixed reactions on Wednesday from members of the province's legislative council.

Rijal Sirait, a senior local legislator, said the move would be an attempt by the provincial administration to conceal its inactivity in improving the moral credibility and integrity of local officials.

It would only waste time, energy and money, he said, adding that the governor should carry out the task of supervising local civil servants.

However, another legislator, Robinson Sitepu, said an honorary council was fine as long as it did not recruit more officials or take up more funding. --JP