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