Tadjus deplores councilors' harsh attack on Sutiyoso

JAKARTA (JP): Head of Golkar's Jakarta chapter Tadjus Sobirin yesterday responded harshly to criticism by several city councilors over Governor Sutiyoso's plans to remove collusion, corruption and nepotism from the city administration.

Tadjus said the councilors' criticisms were just political maneuvering.

"It was just a political ploy. What are their goals? Of course, to undermine the governor," he said.

"They are also devising plans to prepare for the future election," said Tadjus without elaboration.

Several councilors, including head of the United Development Party (PPP) faction Achmad Suaidy, PPP faction member Saud Rahman and head of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction Lukman F. Mokoginta, said Wednesday that it was Sutiyoso himself who needed to be introspective if collusion and nepotism were to be wiped away from his office.

They said Sutiyoso's governorship was achieved through collusion and admitted that they were forced by the City Council speaker to vote for him.

Tadjus questioned why the councilors did not refuse to obey the instruction to vote for Sutiyoso from the beginning.

"If they were really against it, then why didn't they say it in the first place. Why do they have to bring up such things now since they happened in the past," he said.

Sutiyoso would have certainly become the governor even if there was no pressure on the councilors to vote for him, Tadjus said. "Remember, it is the president's prerogative to choose his governor," he added.

He said people must look into each case carefully before labeling it as being influenced by collusive, corrupt or nepotistic practices.

Tadjus further argued that not all collusive and nepotistic practices were wrong.

"For example, collusion in which officials let street vendors freely operate in certain areas without paying levies is OK because it helps the latter to survive in their daily lives.

"It is also fine for a high profile person's child, who is capable and professional in what he or she is doing, to get a certain position. Employers would respect the parents' name but would give the job to the child because of ability. See, nepotism is not always wrong," he added.

Sutiyoso himself looked calm when responding to reporters' questions on the councilors' criticisms against him.

"Many people now like to condemn senior officials. How will we be able to peacefully work if they keep trashing us? If (the accusation) is proven to be correct, it's fine. But, if it is just slander, then it would only be counterproductive," he said.

Sutiyoso, however, refused to directly comment on the councilors' allegations.

"In my heart, I'm just laughing to death," said the governor with a cynical look on his face. (cst)