Sectoral arrogance

Sectoral arrogance

From Republika

On an occasion of a book launching, former environment minister Emil Salim said there was a sectoral arrogance in managing natural resources. It has caused environmental destruction. "Officially ministers are in one cabinet, but in fact they fight each other out of self-interest. There is a kind of conflict among the ministers in getting hold of natural resources," he said (Republika, April 29).

Certainly, Emil Salim has duly considered his opinion. If it is true, how superficial is our ministers' way of thinking. How unfortunate Indonesians are because they are led by such stupid people. Their capacity is limited to defending the interests in their sector. They do not come to the defense of the nation's interests as a whole.

In my opinion, however, Emil Salim's analysis is not conclusive. Why has he only evaluated that a sectoral arrogance is taking place in the management of natural resources? What is happening is actually worse: greed manifested by human resources who manage the sectors. The fight for natural resources is not limited to sectoral interest. More important is that if sectoral interest can be promoted, a program can be made, a budget allocated, a project can be managed. This is the important part. If a certain sector obtains a large budget, it can run many projects, and then there is hope for more collusion, corruption and nepotism. Budget leaks will enrich the human resources involved. It would be hypocritical not to admit this.

I think Emil Salim must be aware of this but he is reluctant to reveal it. When shall we have leaders, ministers, officials, and human resources to manage these sectors, who are really free from the evils of collusion, corruption and nepotism?

A.Y. PALANGAL

Jakarta