Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SURABAYA98
2009-10-22 09:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Surabaya
Cable title:  

BALI'S JEMBRANA REGENCY: A MODEL OF EFFICIENCY

Tags:  PGOV ECON ID 
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VZCZCXRO6845
RR RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJS #0098 2950932
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220932Z OCT 09
FM AMCONSUL SURABAYA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0477
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 0466
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0213
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0180
RUEHJS/AMCONSUL SURABAYA 0489
UNCLAS SURABAYA 000098 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/PD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ID
SUBJECT: BALI'S JEMBRANA REGENCY: A MODEL OF EFFICIENCY

Summary
-------
UNCLAS SURABAYA 000098

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/PD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ID
SUBJECT: BALI'S JEMBRANA REGENCY: A MODEL OF EFFICIENCY

Summary
--------------

1. The Regency of Jembrana is recognized as a model for
decentralization by prominent Indonesian media outlets,
including Tempo. On a recent trip by Chargi d'Affaires Ted
Osius to Jembrana, Jembrana's Regent, Prof Winasa, demonstrated
the Regency's use of technology to improve operational
efficiency and reduce opportunities for corruption. Through
savings resulting from improved efficiencies and reduced
corruption, the Regency has offered increased social services to
its residents. End summary.

Context
--------------

2. Jembrana Regency has a population of 220,000. It is located
in the western part of Bali and consists of 51 villages. The
Regency's capital is Negara. Unlike Bali's tourism centers, the
economy is primarily agricultural, although the Regency is also
home to Bali's primary fishing port and a bustling ferry
terminal linking Bali to East Java. Prof Dr. Drg.I. Gede
Winasa, Regent of Jembrana, was elected Regent in 2000 and
re-elected in 2005 with 88% of the vote, a record percentage for
any election in Indonesia.

Chargi Osius Visits Jembrana Regent
--------------

3. On a recent visit to Jembrana by Chargi d'Affaires Ted
Osius, the Regent noted that inefficiency is itself a form of
corruption. To raise efficiency in the Regency, he has focused
on standardization of operations and processes through
technology. For example, Jembrana is the first in Indonesia to
implement touch-screen voting machines for their elections.
Time clocks for government employees use biometrics
(fingerprints) as a way to ensure employees are on-the-job. The
Regency has also established a central command center where
officials can connect immediately by video-conference to all
schools and offices in the Regency. SMS (text messaging)
systems are employed as a way for constituents to contact the
government and for the government to send mass communications to
Jembrana residents. This system would prove valuable during an
earthquake or other emergency.

Less Opportunity for Corruption
--------------

4. Standardized operating procedures and the use of
technological advancements have helped the Regency reduce
opportunities for corruption. For example, all construction
permits are submitted through an automated system in which the
person responsible for reviewing permit applications is unknown
to the applicants. This greatly reduces the possibility of
bribery and collusion. The Regency waiting room uses a
computerized system so that no one can pay to move to the head
of the line. These simple process improvements have
significantly reduced the opportunities for low-level corruption.

Real Changes in People's Lives
--------------

5. The results of the Regency's operational improvements are
seen in all facets of people's lives. Since 2002, the Regency
has supplied free schooling for all children in the Regency
through 12th grade. The Regency supplies free basic health care
services to the population through the hospital and several
clinics. The PAD (regional revenue),which is derived primarily
from the collection of regional taxes, for Jembrana has
increased from 2.3 billion Rp. per year to 8.5 billion Rp. per
year during Prof Winasa's tenure. Jembrana used the authority
provided by decentralization to make practical changes and
improve the quality of life of its residents.

MCCLELLAND