Sudden inspection

Snap inspections at government offices is very important. Inspections should be regularly done. An inspection has a great moral value because people then are disciplined in their work and try to present their best.

But inspections also have their setbacks, because when officials know that there is going to be an inspection, everything is then polished to give the best impression.

These activities are common before an inspection is made, so it is quite probable that we don't get the real every day picture of the situation. Sometimes an inspection is followed by a question and answer session. And then again everything is prepared beforehand, it is decided who is going to be chosen as a spokesperson and the answers are previously prepared.

This of course cannot happen if a superior makes a sudden appearance for an inspection. This sudden appearance of a superior is what we call sidak for inspeksi mendadak (sudden inspection). The date, hour and place are kept secret for the maximum result. The superior or commander appears suddenly so that there is no time for the staff to clean or hide whatever they want to keep out of sight.

Unfortunately, inspections are now conducted not as they should be. I believe that days before an inspection, the offices or institutions are warned in advance. I frequently see a minister making an inspection while surrounded by members of the media, with the focus on this high official. How can the media know that there is going to be a sidak at a certain institution?

I only hope that this happens because of the well organized intelligence network of the media, and not because they are invited by the staff of the official making an inspection, as though to advertise that the official is serious in doing his job.

Nothing is perfect but there is always room for improvement. I do hope that next time we hear there has been a snap inspection, we read about it after the fact.

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