Public employees

Public employees

I refer to your Sept. 4 editorial.

During my long stay in Indonesia I have frequently encountered
the attitude of Indonesian "public employees" and sincerely hope
that the President's comments will be heeded.

With due respect to President Soeharto, perhaps a step in the
right direction would be to forget the use of "state officials"
and use the term "public employees" which more correctly covers
the desired status; I think "public servant" is counterproductive
in this day and age.

Coming as I do from a monarchy I would add that its civil
service more closely approximates the role hoped for by the
President and I believe that situation is helped by a less
subservient general public than the average Indonesian. And also
of course by a public little used to corruption and more
assertive.

The situation in Indonesia is not helped by the seldom
publication of precise legal charges for various services, e.g.
renewing an identity card or driving license. It was not until
reading in The Jakarta Post recently that I was aware of the
correct charge for the renewal of a driving license -- my
Indonesian wife paid Rp 110,000 for this service. No receipt of
course!

The letter from Merdeka also in the Post of Sept. 4, 1996 is
surely another case of a "public employee" self-help.

Name and address

known to the editor