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.