Wastebasket

Wastebasket

The dictionary defines a waste basket as a basket or other
container for discarded waste materials. But it can also mean a
place where you can express your complaints, criticisms,
protests, grudges and accusations.

When President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Feb. 12 described her
government as a wastebasket she was of course not referring to
the first meaning, that is, as a waste disposal container.

Everyone knows that her government inherits difficult problems
that were created by the New Order regime, which was severely
corrupt, overly bureaucratic and displayed a sycophantic
attitude.

Some people believe that whoever had occupied the presidency
after Soeharto stepped down would have faced difficulties in
governing the country. The fall of B.J.Habibie and Abdurrahman
Wahid from the presidency vindicated this belief.

To get rid of the weak bureaucracy, the president has said
that bureaucrats should not be desk-bound and not only report
good news to their superiors. They should also report bad news,
as it is no use to only provide reports of positive developments.

Even so, this is one of the risks facing the government in a
situation where the old bureaucracy and style are still dominant.
It is natural, therefore, that President Megawati called her
government a wastebasket.

But 'wastebasket' doesn't always have negative connotations as
people can benefit from processing waste materials.

-- Business Indonesia, Jakarta