Role Of Regional Ombudsman Needs Improvement

Jakarta, Dec 15 (ANTARA) - The role of ombudsman at regional level should be improved because the spearhead of public services is in the regions, Vice President Boediono said here on Thursday. Speaking at a function to open an RI Ombudsman National Coordination Meeting, the vice president said, "The spearhead of public services is in the regions and therefore the role of ombudsman at regional level has to be improved." Vice President Boediono said he had received complaints about the limited role of ombudsman in the regions and therefore he said its capacity should be stepped up and strengthened. Within the limits of existing capabilities, the vice president said ombudsman in the regions should be supported. "I fully support the strengthening of the capacity of the ombudsman but it is rational and based on its effectiveness," the vice president said. Commenting on the recruitment of ombudsman members in the regions, the vice president said it should be conducted well in order to get qualified persons for the post. He said the quality of the ombudsman members should be maintained properly so that they could carry out their tasks well. Besides, Boediono said ombudsmen had to do what the people wanted in order to improve the quality of public services.