Tadjus deplores councilors' harsh attack on Sutiyoso

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)