VP : AUTHORITIES MUST HEED PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS

Jakarta, March 22 (ANTARA) - People's complaints about central and regional bureaucrats' services in this democratic era should be attentively listened to, Vice President Boediono said here on Monday.

"In this democratic era, the authorities should respond to the complaints lodged by the people concerning deteriorating bureaucratic services for them. In the past their complaints could be ignored but in times like these we cannot do the same," Boediono said here on Monday.

The vice president made the statement when he was speaking to hundreds of regional administration officials who were present at South Jakarta mayor's office.

Also present were Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono, Religious Affairs Minister Surya Dharma Ali, State Minister for Administrative Reforms EE Mangindaan, and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo.

On the occasion the vice president said the people at present yearned for smooth and better services in licensing, health, education, business, infrastructure, and security.

The vice president said it was the people, not the authorities or their superiors, who judged if the public services were good or band.

"The final result of a service whether it is good or bad, is determined by the people being served," Boediono said.

He noted that bureaucratic reforms were the primary concern of the present government, and the improvement effort continued to be made by the State Ministry for Administrative Reforms.

State Minister for Administrative Reforms EE Mangindaan said earlier that the main design of bureaucratic reforms was expected to have been completed by next April, and that the national bureaucratic reforms effort could be implemented as soon as possible.

"Hopefully the main design of bureaucratic reforms will be completed next month so that the Bureaucratic Reforms Committee can be formed," Mangindaan said.

In its implementation, Mangindaan said the committee would be chaired by vice president, assisted by three economic ministers.