“We will coordinate with the KPK to accelerate the implementation of bureaucratic reform. We hope to come to agreement on some technical steps [in the bureaucratic reform] soon,” Minister Asman Abnur said during a press conference on Friday. He was speaking after a meeting with KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo in which the two agreed to the commitment.

Agus emphasized the importance of bureaucrats as “the machine of  governance” in bureaucratic reform.

“[Bureaucratic] improvement and reform should not take too long. The scheme has been ongoing for over 10 years, but we have not seen our bureaucrats’ performance improve as expected,” the KPK chief said.

Agus further said the bureaucratic reform agenda, which had been running since the fall of New Order in 1998, had yet to make significant impacts.

Detailing points of his ministry’s agreement with the antigraft body, Asman said the two sides had agreed  to “rightsize” government organizations, safeguard meritocracy in the bureaucratic system and improve the remuneration system of government officials.

“We have also agreed to integrate the wealth reporting system for the bureaucrats,” said Agus. He said the current system was too complicated because it required documents to be submitted separately to the ministry, tax office and the KPK. (mrc/ebf)

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