TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives’ Domestic Affairs Commission deputy chairman Almuzzammil Yusuf has questioned several ministries’ decision to mobilize civil servants in the rally dubbed ‘Kita Indonesia’ (We Are Indonesia) at Jakarta car free day (CFD) area on Sunday, December 4, 2016. According to him, the policy is similar to that of the New Order (Orba) era.

“We received email copies from several ministries. If true, it reminds us of the New Order era. Civil servants being mobilized to support events held by political parties that back the government,” Almuzzammil said in a release on Sunday, December 4, 2016.

According to him, civil servants must stand neutral and keep off politics. He has urged the National Civil Service Agency (BKN), Ombudsman and the State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry to investigate into the ministries issuing the letter. “If proven to have violated the rule, they must be given sanction.”

Almuzzammil has also called on civil servants to be more critical of the policies issued by senior officials. “The New Order era has ended. Any policy issued by senior officials which against the principles of civil servants and somewhat political in nature must be promptly reported,” said the Justice and Prosperous Party (PKS) politician.

Earlier, Trade Ministry, Social Affairs Ministry, Transport Ministry, among others, issued a letter telling civil servants to join yesterday’s rally at CFD area.

Bambang Sutrisna, head of Mass Media and Public Opinion Division, the Transport Ministry, has denied the ministry’s involvement in the Kita Indonesia rally during CFD.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI