Public officials'

Public officials'
arrogance

From Media Indonesia

Some 88 members of the House of Representatives (DPR) and 67
from the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) are apparently in
breach of Law No.28/1999 on clean governance. They are required
to report and announce their wealth before and after occupying
their posts. But in reality they have failed to obey the law.

The following factors may be reasons for this situation:
* Public officials do not understand the requirement and are
unable to compile reports on personal assets.
* DPR members, who have the authority to control the
implementation of government projects, have obtained part of
their wealth by illicit means, thus making it "difficult" for
them to make such reports.
* DPR and MPR members may be too arrogant to heed the three
warnings already issued by the Public Servants' Wealth Audit
Commission (KPKPN).

The three possibilities lead to suspicion and a lack of
confidence in their propriety and eligibility as public
officials. If they are incapable of making their own wealth
reports, how can they perform their duty in serving the public?

HUSEIN LATIF

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