New city officials must undergo military training

JAKARTA (JP): New city administration officials will undergo strict mental and physical military-style training to strengthen their character, an official said yesterday.

"The training, under the directive of Governor Sutiyoso, will take place at Jakarta Military Command in Condet, East Jakarta," Abdul Kahfi, the deputy governor for administrative affairs, said.

Previously, new officials were required to take part in an in- house training program.

"But this time it is different because Governor Sutiyoso wants to implement a clean government program," Kahfi said. "The only way to start this is with serious training, such as that at the main garrison."

The training, to be jointly conducted by the municipality and Jakarta Military Command, will be held in late November after the announcement of newly elected city officials on Nov. 18.

Sutiyoso had earlier said that in order to develop a healthy government, the officials had to have strong characters.

"The only way to do this is to teach them strong discipline, leadership and teamwork," the governor said. "I think the kind of training provided at the main garrison should meet that goal."

This year, some 20,000 people applied for jobs as city civil servants. According to Kahfi, there are only 1,265 posts available this year.

"We invited job applications based on the city's retirement projection for officials. This year alone, some 1,076 officers are due to enter their retirement period, while another 1,793 will retire in 1998, and 1,438 in 1999. That is why we need more officials," Kahfi said.

Prospective applicants will have to pass tests held in Senayan, Central Jakarta on Oct. 28.

"The test cards will be sent to each applicant through the postal service between Oct. 21 and 27. So, they don't have to go back and forth," he said.

Kahfi also urged the applicants not to deal with third parties or brokers who promised to give them jobs in the municipality in return for money.

"Admission is free. The municipality does not charge anything for job applications," he said.

Kahfi also revealed that, in some applications, there were memos from high-ranking officials.

"The governor said that there will be a fair selection process," he said. "The memos given to him, or any other official, will be submitted to the committee in charge of selection and it will be processed in accordance with existing rules."

Any applicants who fail to meet the requirements will not be allowed to take the tests.

"For instance, the average score set by the municipality is 6.5, so applicants who get only 6.0 will certainly fail the selection even though they bring memos with them," Kahfi said.

During yesterday's meeting, Kahfi revealed the municipality's plan to provide new buses to transport nearly 70,000 Jakarta civil servants.

"We plan to build posts in five areas. The buses will be deployed to transport them everyday to their offices and back to the posts," Kahfi said.

Currently the administration is reviewing the areas to be chosen as posts for the buses.

"The plan is expected to help reduce traffic congestion," he said. (07)