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

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.