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