We're masters: President, legislators are our servants!

Patrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta, ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com

It is said that people get the government they deserve. If there is any merit to that observation, perhaps we ought to ask ourselves, what kind of a government do we in Indonesia deserve?

I was struck by a number of reports in the press in recent weeks that tell us something, if not about the kind of government we deserve, at least about the kind of government we are likely to get as a result of this year's general elections. One report that is germane was the result of a poll that indicated that less than half of eligible Indonesian voters knew what date the elections are to be held.

Given the vigorous campaigning and the acrimony of the op-ed pieces as they fly back and forth, that figure is surprising, not to say disappointing. Given the fact that these particular elections will set the course of this country in the twenty-first century, that number is appalling. Given the fact that there is an enormously high rate of dissatisfaction, characterized by a great deal bitching and complaining about the current state of affairs in Indonesia, that number is infuriating.

Another report that is relevant here is one that tells us that of five hundred elected legislators, only fifty bothered to show up for the House Speaker's closing speech at the plenary meeting of the legislature's final session prior to the elections. Earlier in the day, while important government work was being dealt with, only 187 representatives were present.

Of course that didn't prevent 251 representatives from signing the attendance lists. That means that the vast majority of our representatives just couldn't be bothered to do their jobs at all. It also means that 64 members of our House of Representatives have been caught lying to their constituents about the performance of their duties and are guilty of falsifying government records.

Doesn't this level of dishonesty and irresponsibility suggest that we might consider a little more closely whom we support to represent us in government? This brings us back to the original observation about getting the government we deserve.

Since the voters apparently couldn't care less about what goes on in the legislature (as borne out by the apathetic interest in the elections), is it reasonable to expect the legislators themselves to care? Why should they do any more than the bare minimum required to permit them to line up at the public trough? They know that they'll keep their jobs, because nobody really expects them to do any work.

Another report in the news is relevant here. In this report, great concern is expressed that incumbent officials who are not up for re-election are likely to step up their collection of graft to new levels. Observers expect that these lame-duck government officers will start raking it in with both hands, recognizing that this is their last chance to pad their retirement funds. (The good news is that we probably wouldn't notice the difference). Why do we put up with that?

Why on earth don't we scream at the top of our lungs when we are held up like that? A public official who behaves as we predict, and engages in theft from the people who elected him should be in jail. That kind of betrayal is contemptible.

Not only should a thief like that be charged with a crime, he should be held up and publicly vilified. He should be banned from holding any public office in the future and, after serving a prison term, he should be treated like a social leper and despised by the community.

If we don't rebel against this entirely predictable corruption, we are telling those who will replace the current thieves that we expect them to steal as well and that we will reward their efforts. We will reward our betrayers not only with money and a career, but also with respect, deference and high social standing. Do we enjoy bending over so that cheap little gangsters can kick us while they steal from us?

A paradigm shift is required in Indonesia. In a democracy in the twenty-first century, there is no reason for a citizen to be reduced to the status of a forelock-tugging suppliant. The citizens are entitled to the highest standards of performance and integrity on the part of their employees.

Repeat out loud: "Public servants are our servants!" Keep saying it until it makes sense. We are the masters and this is our house. We are not subservient to those whom we pay to serve us. They must be subservient to us. We don't bribe them to do their jobs...they look for opportunities to serve us. They are treated with courtesy. We are treated with deference. If they don't do their jobs, they are thrown out. If they steal, they go to jail.

Every individual in Indonesia must assume responsibility for ensuring that our servants...our police, politicians, public works employees, government office staff etc. etc...do their jobs efficiently, courteously and honestly. If a situation is encountered where these standards are not met, it is our duty to do something about it. Until that kind of thinking comes naturally to us, we will continue to get the government we deserve.