Hundreds of civil servants from Indonesia's Higher Education Ministry gathered for a protest outside the ministry's office in Central Jakarta. Their demonstration was sparked by discontent over employee rotations and abrupt dismissals without due process. Holding banners and chanting slogans, they voiced their concerns, alleging unfair treatment and verbal abuse by Minister Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro. The protesters demanded accountability and fair treatment within the ministry.
The civil servants were particularly aggrieved by the manner in which employee rotations were handled. One of the banners prominently read, "We are civil servants, paid by the state, working for the state, not slaves of the family." This statement encapsulated their frustration, suggesting that the ministry's employees felt more like personal staff rather than public servants working for the state.
Minister Satryo, however, firmly denied allegations of verbal abuse and unfair dismissal. He faced accusations from Neni Herlina, a Junior Expert and Acting Household Officer, who claimed she was dismissed without due process. Neni recounted to Tempo that on a recent Friday, Satryo allegedly barged into her office, demanding she vacate the premises immediately.
"Get out to Dikdasmen (Primary and Secondary Education Ministry) and bring all your belongings," said Neni Herlina.
In response to these allegations, Satryo refuted claims of having anger issues or having slapped employees. A voice recording, allegedly of Satryo scolding and slapping one of his ministry's vendors, circulated online. However, Satryo dismissed it as fake, denying that the voice was his.
“Mr President, please save us from an angry minister who likes to slap and fire employees,” read one of the protest signs.
Despite the heated atmosphere, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Technology, Togar M Simatupang, indicated that the matter had been addressed amicably. After a meeting at the minister's residence, attended by both civil servants and ministry officials, Togar stated that a mature resolution was reached.
Head of Directorate General of Higher Education Employees Association, Suwitno, clarified that Neni was rotated rather than fired. He explained that such rotations are necessary due to the ministry's expansion efforts.
“Neni’s job is to meet the needs of the ministry’s household but there may have been a misunderstanding in carrying out the task,” Suwitno explained.
The restructuring follows President Prabowo Subianto's earlier decision to divide the Education and Cultural Affairs Ministry into three distinct entities, including the Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry. This move aimed to enhance efficiency within the government framework.
Minister Satryo emphasized that changes were inevitable given the president's directive for budget efficiency. He assured that fairness would be prioritized in handling such transitions.
“We will learn to be fair, we have discussed this and we will find a middle ground,” stated Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro.
“State institutions are not Satryo and his wife’s private companies,” another banner proclaimed in protest.
“We are making significant changes as the ministry is now divided into three parts and the restructuring is in line with the president’s call to be more efficient with the budget,” added Satryo.
During discussions with protesting employees, Satryo reiterated the necessity of rotation as part of organizational dynamics.
“We told them our objective, which is to fulfil President Prabowo Subianto’s request and I explained that such a rotation process is inevitable for any organisation,” he clarified.
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