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ouTube might seem an unusual medium to promote government activities, but Jakarta under its new leaders recently set a precedent. The Jakarta city government uploaded a video of a meeting between Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and city Public Works Agency officials onto the world’s number one video-sharing website as part of a breakthrough to establish open governance.

Other regional governments and the central government could emulate the Jakarta administration’s creativity in promoting transparency and accountability in the use of public money for development programs. Everybody can access YouTube without restriction, and that is what transparency means.

In the 46-minute video of the Nov. 8 meeting, Ahok tells the Public Works Agency officials of the new Jakarta leaders’ uncompromising decision to cut the 2013 budget proposed by the agency by 25 percent, on the grounds that the pricing standard set by the agency of about Rp 2.5 trillion (US$260 million) is too high.

The officials have only two choices: follow the order or face being replaced. They may also come under investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission for old irregularities if they oppose the budget cuts.

Amid reports of rampant corruption plaguing this country, the city administration’s initiative will contribute to the nation’s painstaking efforts to create clean government. Inefficiency in the bureaucracy is believed to cost between 30 and 40 percent of the taxpayers’ money needed to deliver public services.

We believe the city leaders have good reason to cut the budget allocated for the Public Works Agency, one of the biggest spenders among government institutions. We also hope the city administration will not stop at one particular agency as inefficiency is rampant throughout the bureaucracy.

Now that the public has watched the bold move and the speechless officials, popular support is all that Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and his deputy Ahok need to realize their bid to boost efficiency through eradicating budget leakage and misappropriation.

The use of YouTube is not only effective in disseminating the city administration’s message; it also shows its consistency in promoting efficiency. From the beginning, both Jokowi and Ahok made clear their concern about unnecessary spending when they cut expenditure for their inauguration ceremony.

Many, perhaps, are impressed by this new style of leadership, as admitted by one resident who did not vote for the pair. But the public expects more than just a YouTube show.