Silalahi criticizes officials

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Administrative Reform T.B. Silalahi upbraided "arrogant" public servants for poor service standards and demanding they be served by people.

Addressing a training session for high-ranking officials yesterday, Silalahi said public service received wide attention. "And I see there are more arrogant officials than those that can be called real officials," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

"There are many public servants who, instead of serving the public, demand that people cater to their wishes," he told 24 second echelon officers from various government agencies.

He said the officials' attitude harked back to the Dutch colonial era when officials demanded that they be served.

"This (attitude persists) despite President Soeharto's constant reminders that it is the duty of the state apparatus to serve, not to ask to be served," he said.

Silalahi conceded that cultural change is proceeding slowly. It would take a long time before public servants realize their duty is to serve, he pointed out.

He did not name names or mention any numbers, but he said such civil servants were "everywhere." Unless they changed their attitude, he said, the civil servants would not be any different "from the hooligans in Grogol or Blok M whose presence annoys the public." (swe)