Officials lack courage in punishing subordinates

JAKARTA (JP): The head of the Institute of State Personnel Administration (BAKN), Soenarko, said yesterday that government bureaucracy would remain weak as long as built-in supervision systems failed to work effectively.

Soenarko lamented that superiors in government offices often lacked courage in punishing subordinates and even pretended not to recognize wrongdoings by their subordinates.

"The laws and regulations on supervision are more than enough, but I doubt they have worked effectively," Soenarko said after swearing in a new assistant at his office yesterday.

He noted that some senior staff fail to press for heavy sanctions against corrupt subordinates.

State Minister of Administrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi said recently that Indonesia's laws on corruption were likely the most comprehensive in the world and that even a mouse could not escape their trap.

BAKN administratively oversees 4,044,703 civil servants, and is directly under the President's supervision. The committee is in charge of the promotion and retirement of civil servants.

President Soeharto urged government bureaucrats on Monday to be more sensitive toward people, and not treat them merely as objects who should obey their commands.

Government bureaucracy is often marred by allegations of widespread corruption and rampant red tape. These issues were also addressed during May's general election.

Soenarko called on officials yesterday to be tough in combating corruption, but at the same time be aware of their staff's needs.

"Top government officials must be capable of managing their staff, but they are also expected to improve their welfare," Antara quoted Soenarko as saying.

Separately, House of Representatives speaker Wahono called on the government yesterday to be more responsive toward mounting public demand for democracy and a cleaner government.

"Complaints over irregularities and negative impacts of development are increasing," Wahono said after receiving 18 Indonesia ambassadors, who will go to overseas posts, at his office. (prb)