Surabaya (ANTARA) - Officials and state civil servants in the city government should feel ashamed if cases of malnourished toddlers are still reported in their area, according to Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi.

"We are paid with the regional budget money derived from the Surabaya people's taxes. Hence, it is our obligation to make the people happy. Yet to this day, we are still far from making the Surabaya people happy," Cahyadi delivered the statement in Surabaya on Friday.

The mayor cited social workers as an example as well as people that have sacrificed their all for Surabaya. According to Cahyadi, despite not getting paid, they were willing to fight for Surabaya's people, all part of their selfless and sincere efforts.

"When we already have a good (work)place, when we have a good salary, but if we still lose to them (the unpaid heroes), that would be termed so (outrageous) for the officials in Surabaya City," he emphasized.

He condemned officials or state civil servants, who are more concerned about how much money they would receive from doing something for the community.

"If we have seen something like this (thinking about payment for doing good things for residents), then we should feel ashamed. We should take pride in one's abilities and accomplishments as officials in the Surabaya City Government," he stressed.

To this end, Cahyadi expects Surabaya's officials and state civil servants to continue to improve themselves. He also expects all state civil servants to learn from the praiseworthy social workers.

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"Learning how to respect others with our hearts, with the strength we have, I will personally learn (as well). This is because (to make other people happy), it is not always with money and not always with wealth (either)," he affirmed.

Cahyadi believes that mutual cooperation is necessary to create a great Surabaya. He believed that every person of Surabaya sincerely wants to make it a better city.

"We show all cities in Indonesia, to the world, that Surabaya is great not because of the mayor or its officials, but because of the sincerity and empathy that its citizens have," he said.

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Translator: Abdul Hakim, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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