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Slashing ministerial perks

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's decision to slash ministerial perks and his regulations regarding media publicity ministers could seek for themselves, are likely to be wholeheartedly welcomed by the public. This is the proverbial stitch in time which would save nine.

It is needless to reiterate that the lifestyles of top politicians have both astounded and enraged the people over the years. Governments have fallen over this question of vulgar ostentation on the part of politicians, usually those in the seats of power. Conspicuous consumption by some ministers, their relatives and hangers-on have filled the people with loathing - the majority of whom are poor - and played a significant role in disillusioning many about the merits of the "democratic way of life", which makes such excesses possible.

Of course, it is not the democratic system of government, per se, which is accountable for this disturbing scandal of ministerial lifestyles. The truth of the matter is that, thus far, the tail has been wagging the dog and not vice versa: some ministers and government officials have been openly flouting codes of conduct and regulations regarding spending by public officials and those finally responsible to the people have not been taking them to task.

As in the case of the exercise of political power, checks and balances of legal and administrative nature have to be in place to guard against the perpetration of excesses by politicians. We are glad that, finally, concrete measures are being taken by no less a person than the Prime Minister himself to put things right in this thorny sphere of ministerial perks and privileges. The need of the hour is firm decisive action which would enhance the credibility of the state.

Elections are essentially fought on bread and butter, or, in our context, rice and curry issues. The impoverished, average vote is easily outraged by the sight of a top politico who rises from rags to riches, not through honest means, but by foul means and misdeeds.

Those elected to the seats of power are expected to be the servants of the people. In Sri Lanka, however, thus far, some elected politicians have taken the law into their hands and lived ostentatiously off the fat of the land. This brings the government of the day into disrepute and paves the way for its defeat at the next poll.

The decision by the Prime Minister, then, to cut down on, primarily, vehicles and houses for ministers is likely to gladden many a heart. Equally gratifying is the move to curb the ravenous appetite of some politicians for publicity and self-glorifications through the media. To be sure, the reading and viewing public are solely interested in news and not in the presumed feats of politicians which, usually, do not measure up to public expectations.

Much has to be achieved to promote the public good and what the people expect of their elected representatives is work, work and more work. There is no substitute for positive achievement.

• Editorial of  The Observer - 08.01.2002:
  Government: a new life-style?
  

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