Bureaucratic reform discouraging

Teachers’ strike: Thousands of contract teachers demanding civil servant status rally near the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on May 22. JP/Wendra Ajistyatama

The Jakarta Post’s Frans Surdiasis and Rais Hidayat talked to Dr. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, the secretary-general of the Regional Representative Council (DPD), and former secretary-general of the Home Ministry to ask her opinions on the country’s bureaucracy. The following are excerpts of their conversation.

Question: How would you evaluate the changes in the bureaucracy so far?

Answer: I see the government has made various changes in the bureaucracy. This is indicated by the facts, among others, that part of the development of legislation has been fruitful, such as the introduction of the State Minister’s Office Law and the Public Service Law, and for 2010 the Public

Administration Bill has been included in the national legislation program. Regional administrations have developed best practices such as in the form of one-stop services and their number keeps growing: in 2005: 5 regions, 2006: 95 regions, 2007: 168 regions, and 2008: 360 regions.

Has the concept of bureaucratic benefits for the people been optimally applied?

In my view, if the reform is measured by the concept of bureaucratic benefits for the people, some problems still remain, like the presence of a gap in vision in which presidential policies deviate as they reach the bureaucracy, or go slow in their field implementation, sometimes even remain unrealized. In several regions, parts of the  bureaucracy  are co-opted by the political polarization of regional heads so that bureaucratic identity and soul are lost. Apart from that, I notice the bureaucratic reform approach uses classic concepts rather than the latest ones. The business sector continues to witness the rent-seeking behavior of the bureaucracy, rather than its public-oriented policies.  

What do you think are the problems facing the bureaucratic reform?

The bureaucratic reform is less than heartening because it proceeds in a piecemeal fashion, while its commitment and continuity are admittedly weak.  

Why are we getting weak? It’s because our rule base is relatively weak. Leadership is important, and who is supposed to be the core leader of this bureaucratic reform should be made clear. The values and concepts being developed and applied in this reform should be obvious as well. We should be aware that bureaucratic reform deals with changing the mindset. To change the bureaucratic mindset means to transform the bureaucratic way of thinking and behavior so as to suit constitutional values and public life principles like selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

What should be done to ensure a total rather than a piecemeal reform?

First, there should be an injection of constitutional values into the bureaucracy. Bureaucrats should understand that the constitution functions as a national setting, a national sub-relationship, for values and goal establishment, and as a statehood safeguard. Then bureaucrats should appreciate and internalize the ethical values and identity of the bureaucracy, such as the necessity to be free from political co-optation, professional, productive, high in integrity, and capable of offering prime services to the public. The comprehension and internalization of these values will change their mindset and enhance their working culture as well as occupational management.

Is there any resistance from the bureaucracy to the reform?

I think it’s not resistance, but rather a slow response, a lack of understanding, indolence, and a desire to preserve the status quo. They are work-shy to make releases, activity announcements, sometimes even motionless to interact with the press, particularly those in the regions. This happens due to their lack of knowledge of their duties, and the fact that they want to conceal something from the public.

What do you think are the important agendas for bureaucratic reform?

First, the reform agenda should go on, such as the pilot projects, which are good despite their piecemeal nature. Second, the bureaucratic identity should be strengthened in all strata of the government system.

Third, the public administration bill should be finalized to become law. Fourth, the regional character of bureaucracies should be upheld in view of the diverse local bureaucracies.

Fifth, the function of regional heads in fostering civil servants should be further specified for the prevention of their bureaucratic cooptation. Sixth, the bureaucratic working ethos should be built to create honest, competitive and accountable bureaucrats.