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mposing harsh sanctions, dismissing, or even demoting underperforming civil servants or those who violate regulations has become common practice for Jakarta governors in this leadership period.

At first, many opposed such a system, but it seems to have successfully changed the work culture among employees in the city administration.

Some hope the carrot and stick method would continue under the new governor, as they consider the system “essential to ensuring they work their best to serve the public.”

Theresia Sri Hastuti, the subdistrict head of Cipinang Muara in East Jakarta, admitted illegal levy practices were rampant in her office before the city was led by then governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his deputy Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who did not hesitate to fire officials who conducted such wrongdoing.

Theresia explained residents were previously required to pay a certain amount of money to officers at the Cipinang Muara administration to process documents like residence permits or documents needed for marriage registration.

“In fact, the documents can be obtained for free,” she said, adding she had placed a board in her office notifying residents that all services were provided for free.

When serving as governor from 2012 to 2014, Jokowi had started to dismiss civil servants from their posts when they were caught carrying out illegal practices. The move was continued by his successor, Ahok, who was governor from November 2014 to June this year.

Even before taking leave for the gubernatorial campaign, from March to April this year, the outspoken Ahok fired 40 civil servants who were proven to have committed illegal levy practices.

Ahok also applied a new performance appraisal system and provided Jakarta civil servants with a high remuneration package to motivate them to work harder and better.

Under the performance appraisal system, those who are never absent from work and perform their duties well will get higher remuneration than those who skip work and underperform.

As an illustration, a diligent and disciplined subdistrict head who used to get Rp 13 million (US$962.39) per month before Ahok served as governor could pocket up to Rp 33 million monthly since Ahok implemented the new performance appraisal system in 2015.

Officials’ allowances are based on their performance. The performance allowance itself can be up to Rp 26 million for a subdistrict head, Rp 38 million for a district head and Rp 60 million for a mayor and an agency head.

Theresia hoped the reward and punishment system inherited by the current administration would be continued by the next administration, under the leadership of incoming governor Anies Baswedan, to make sure that all civil servants carry out their duties well.

“I fully support the move to fire civil servants who carry out illegal levy practices,” she told The Jakarta Post via phone, adding the services at Cipinang Muara sub district office had gradually improved.

“Currently, it only takes half an hour to process documents needed for marriage registration at my office,” Theresia said.

Subdistrict head of Bendungan Hilir in Central Jakarta, Gatra Pratama, has a similar opinion about the reward and punishment system currently applied by the Jakarta administration. He said the reward could encourage civil servants to do their best at work.

“The reward and punishment system should be continued to motivate the civil servants to do higher quality work.” Gatra said.