Sutiyoso says no to gift parcels for officials

Sutiyoso says no to gift parcels for officials

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Starting this year, Idul Fitri, Christmas and the New Year may no
longer be marked with piles of parcels at City Hall as Governor
Sutiyoso says he will ban city officials from receiving gifts
from parties who might be trying to influence them.

"I will tell city officials not to accept any gifts, including
parcels. I will set a good example myself. I won't accept any
parcels sent to my residence," Sutiyoso told reporters at City
Hall on Thursday. "If people insist on sending parcels, please
send them to City Hall and we will give them to charity."

His instruction came only two days after the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK) banned state officials from
receiving valuable gifts in connection with their work as part of
the national anticorruption drive.

The KPK disseminated a circular on Tuesday appealing to all
state officials, including legislators, to reject gifts from
people who might be trying to influence them.

Sending parcels to relatives, friends, superiors and
colleagues have long been a tradition in Indonesia to mark
national holidays, particularly Idul Fitri.

Many companies, individuals and other parties send parcels to
state officials in a bid to win over the officials. A good
business relationship will result in more facilities and less
disruption from officialdom.

The Corruption Eradication Commission Law (No. 30/2002)
stipulates that state officials are obliged to report receiving
any form of gratification -- money, discounts, travel packages,
medication or other facilities given to state officials in
connection with their positions -- to the commission. The KPK
will decide whether they can keep such gratifications. If not,
the KPK will confiscate them on behalf of the state.

An executive with a company currently handling a big project
in Jakarta welcomed Sutiyoso's instruction.

"That is a good move. Of course, we will cut our spending (on
parcels for city officials). But most businesspeople will have
already factored their spending on gifts into their budgets,"
said the executive, who declined to be named.

However, City Council speaker Ade Surapriatna questioned the
effectiveness of Sutiyoso's instruction.

"Why does he (Sutiyoso) have to ban his officials from
receiving parcels that are not costly. This instruction will only
hurt small traders," he said, referring to the holiday parcel
business.

He recommended that the administration ban officials from
accepting money from businesspeople instead.

Councillor Husin Alaydrus of the Democratic Party faction
urged the administration to see the essence of the KPK's call. "I
just hope that this move will not simply be another example of
lip-service," he said.