TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Acting Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama has threatened to place Jakarta employees with lack of performance to an island. "If you don’t work, I’ll make you staff. I paid you but you keep stealing, it’s better to pay you just to sit around. If you defy me, I’ll transfer you to an island," Ahok told reporters yesterday.

Ahok mentioned the statement since he was furious with the performances of the officials in Jakarta. Today, Ahok will submit a recommendation letter of dismissal towards the Head of Jakarta’s Public Works Department, Manggas Rudi Siahaan, to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Manggas is not alone; there are four other Jakarta officials threatened to be sacked.

The renovation in the upper level of the Jakarta government will not have much impact towards operational activities, said Ahok, believing that 60 percent of Jakarta’s civil servants still has good performances.

Ahok said the dismissed Jakarta officials will be placed as staff. Once becoming staff, the former officials will not receive regional performance benefits. "They will only receive a basic salary. This will be a natural cutting."

Ahok is determined to continue renovating Jakarta civil servants until their abilities are equal to private employees. This action is parallel to Ahok’s vision in creating civil servants as professionals and authoritative bureaucrats.

ERWAN HERMAWAN