Sutiyoso mulls smaller staff load to economize

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said yesterday he would consider a cost-cutting measure for three deputies instead of the current four following the election of Harun Al Rasyid as West Nusa Tenggara governor.

Sutiyoso told the media he would gather opinions of his senior staff members before making a final decision to be submitted to the City Council and the central government.

"We're in financial difficulties, so the merger of the jobs will be a great help for us in our efforts to economize.

I'll sound out the idea to the forum (of high-ranking city officials)."

Harun, 59, currently deputy governor for economic and financial affairs, received the gubernatorial nod for his home province from the provincial council on Aug. 1.

Pending approval from the minister of home affairs and the president, Harun will replace Maj. Gen. (ret.) Warsito.

Sutiyoso said he was open to the possibility Rasyid's duties could be assumed by the current deputy governor for development affairs, the practice carried out until last year.

"I intend to trim the posts. If the city once had one deputy governor for both economic and development affairs, why don't we do the same now?"

The city administration previously had three deputy governors for social welfare affairs, administrative affairs and economic and development affairs.

In September last year, the latter post was split into two -- economic and financial affairs, and development affairs -- by then governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

Big money

Funds allocated in the city's current budget for the deputy governors have yet to be disclosed, mainly because of several revisions due to the unstable economy.

Based on the previous city budget for the 1997/1998 fiscal year, the amount -- excluding monthly salary -- allocated for the city's three deputy governors totaled Rp 3.15 billion.

The fund financed household and vehicle expenses, official trips and clothes, among other expenses.

But Sutiyoso's idea was roundly panned by city legislators.

Separately yesterday, head of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction Lukman F. Mokoginta and his counterpart from the Jakarta chapter of the United Development Party (PPP), Rusjdi Hamka, considered the idea half-baked.

They argued the governor of the capital, beset by complicated problems, should be assisted by four deputies to allow each to concentrate fully on their respective areas.

Rusjdi said his party would nominate the head of the PPP faction at the council, Achmad Suaidy, to replace Harun.

He vouched that Suaidy, a native Jakartan, had the ability to meet all the requirements as he had been a councilor for two terms and once worked at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Lukman recommended that Sutiyoso pick a replacement for Harun forthwith because "economic and finance issues are very important these days".

He said it would be more difficult for a deputy governor to do his or her best if overloaded with tasks.

When asked to comment on the PPP proposal backing Suaidy, Sutiyoso said he would not consider a candidate's background or party affiliation.

"What is important is the candidate has the capability," he said. (ind/cst)