Revealing civil servants' wealth

Revealing civil servants' wealth

We are impressed, among other things, by HMI's (Islamic Students Association) recommendation regarding the wealth which civil servants possess. The organizations suggests that a record of this wealth be made before and after a person joins the civil service. Technically, this may not be so difficult to do as one of the organization's regional chapters suggested during the HMI's recent congress.

As a first step, for example, a start could be made among third-echelon employees. Officials in that echelon could be required to report their wealth. Periodically, perhaps, they could be asked to update their reports, and again when they are moved to a higher echelon or enter into retirement. Submitting those reports could be made a precondition for promotion. In this manner it would be easy enough to see whether or not an official has obtained his wealth through misusing his or her position.

Would such a procedure be adequate to halt the abuse of authority by government officials? In the initial stages there will surely be many shortcomings.

The scope of the effort could eventually be enlarged, with third-echelon officials used as an example. The important thing is that the mechanism be bolstered by strong political will.

By doing this we hope to get to the bottom of the riches of some public officials, whose total earnings could never allow them to amass such wealth.

-- Republika, Jakarta