SHAH ALAM, 6 May: The government should follow the ‘Jokowi System’ to cut spending public funds, thus not having the need to implement the goods and services tax (GST), which starts in April 2015.
Academic, Prof Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, said that he was attracted to the system introduced by the Indonesian Presidential candidate, Joko Widodo, or Jokowi when he was the Governor of Jakarta, and the system will be introduced if he wins the Presidency in July.
He said that the Jokowi system is implemented by cutting expenses by half for official travel, including flight tickets, fuel and free cars by only allowing the leaders at the highest level enjoy such facilities.
“It would be good if our country takes such an approach; car facilities only being given to the Secretary-General, Director General and Vice Chancellor only. There is no need to provide cars, fuel and drivers for other officers. Even meetings will only be held at the office.
“We do not need to renew the contracts of high-ranking officers on pension,” said Agus on his Facebook page.
He said that if they still have the energy to continue working, encourage them to try other areas or if their service is continued, give them their pension only after their service ends.
“If we can do this, we can save so much national expenditure. Are we ready?” said Dr Agus.
He said that the government’s move to introduce the GST made people, who are desperate, take to the streets on May 1 because they feel burdened with the rising cost of living, despite the fact that the GST will only come into force 11 months from now.