POM to become independent body directly under President

POM to become independent body directly under President

JAKARTA (JP): In line with the implementation of regional
autonomy, the Directorate General of Food and Drug Control (POM)
will separate from the Ministry of Health to become an
independent body directly under the President's supervision.

POM's director general Sampurno told reporters on Wednesday
that the change was not official yet but would be realized
sometime this month.

"POM will remain under the central government's control. But
we will be networking with local governments through our offices
in 26 provinces," he said.

To fill newly created positions there will be some 2,500
employees recruited, according to Sampurno.

He revealed that it would also be essential to place a unit of
POM's personnel in every airport and seaport throughout the
country to prevent the smuggling of medicines and food.

"I have proposed this matter to the state minister of
administrative reform," he said.

POM will also place its personnel in the country's border
areas, especially West Kalimantan and Batam in Riau, which are
prone to smuggling.

"Combating smuggling has really been a headache," he said.

Sampurno added that his office would also coordinate with the
Directorate General of Customs and Excise and a new agency called
the National Quarantine Body, which will isolate animals and
plants for safety purposes.

The new body will fall under the Coordinating Minister for the
Economy's auspices, Sampurno said.

He said the local governments have enough resources to perform
the controlling job.

"Laboratories and equipment in the regions are relatively
competent, such as those in the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura.
We've tried to fulfill the equipment needs for every lab over the
past three years," he said.(hdn)