0 Buleleng officials criticized for lack of empathy

A legislator has strongly criticized officials in the Buleleng administration for holding their annual meeting in a star-rated hotel, while hundreds of residents are still suffering the effects of a series of natural disasters. Mangku Budiasa, chairman of Commission B at Buleleng Legislative Council, while visiting Bebetin village, which was badly stricken by landslides, told journalists that the regent and his staff were holding a two-day meeting at the luxury Menjangan Resort to evaluate their 2013 work performance. 

“How could they do that amid the people’s suffering? They could have held the meeting in a government building,” Budiasa said. Buleleng administration has at least two buildings suitable for government meetings. “They did not have to go to an opulent resort to evaluate their poor work performance. Where is their sense of empathy? People are expecting their attention, not to witness their [officials] lavish lifestyles,” Budiasa said. 

Buleleng was the worst-hit regency during a string of landslides and floods triggered by hours of torrential rain and heavy winds last Thursday. Disasters occurred in five regencies and claimed five lives, with four perishing in Buleleng. Budiasa and several legislators visited sites in Sawan, Kubutambahan and Seririt districts. Bebetin village in Sawan district was one of the villages most seriously hit by landslides and flooding, which destroyed many houses and buildings, as well as farmland. 

The disaster also inflicted severe damage to roads connecting several villages in Buleleng. The legislators stayed for one night at Bebetin village, meeting with local leaders and affected families. Regardless of the strong criticism, Buleleng Regent Putu Agus Suradnyana continued with the evaluation meeting with his staff at Menjangan Resort. The meeting is focused on appraising the performance of each division of Buleleng administration.

source : bali daily