Unsung efforts of RT/RW chiefs

Unsung efforts of RT/RW chiefs

From Warta Kota

Being a minister, governor, mayor, regent or subdistrict chief is honorable and entitles you to various privileges. Even more so if a person becomes a member of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) or the House of Representatives (DPR). They merely carry out their routine tasks without having to think hard to achieve something for the people's prosperity. All facilities -- salary, honorarium, office allowance and other extra payments -- are their legitimate right.

So, who has the authority to appraise their work performance? The home affairs minister should be the most responsible for the competence of regional government agencies in implementing regional autonomy.

The governor of Jakarta, for example, has dumped the city's garbage into other suburban areas of Jakarta (Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi) without feeling responsible for the environmental pollution in those areas.

A wind of change has started to blow through the country's law enforcement and promised improvements for the people in the future. Regardless of their position, rank, etc., any official who has committed wrongdoing while in office should be brought to court. Take for example, the former minister of cooperatives, as well as former chairman of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Bustanil Arifin, who has been detained.

Should he escape the legal noose in this world, he will subsequently face the final judgment hereafter. Therefore, those currently holding power, starting from the President to the lower ranks, should work for the people's welfare and not simply for their own or that of their cronies.

Yet, there are many civilian workers who work sincerely without expecting something in return, such as chiefs of neighborhood units (RT/RW). They raise funds all by themselves and work autonomously. These units are always ready to execute the government's programs and maintain orderliness in society. Is it not high time the government appreciated their voluntary work?

ACHMAD SOLIHIN

Bogor, West Java