BSKDN of the Ministry of Home Affairs Promotes Evidence-Based Public Policy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and overseeing evidence-based public policy by strengthening the role of policy analysts as regional think tanks.
“Policy analysts ensure that every recommendation is supported by data, scientific analysis, and impact projections. Thus, the policies produced are not short-term, but sustainable and strategic,” said Head of BSKDN, Yusharto Huntoyungo, in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The statement was made after he served as a speaker in a Policy Brief Writing Workshop with the SKALA (Synergy and Collaboration for Accelerating Basic Services) Program in Papua.
In his presentation, Yusharto emphasized the importance of analysis and evaluation of policies that are no longer relevant to current conditions. In addition, regional governments are also required to formulate policies that are anticipatory, especially in the field of innovation and governance, in order to realize efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the administration of regional government.
“To carry out these tasks, BSKDN, which was formerly the Research and Development Agency, has several instruments that we obtain from primary data resulting from measurements of various indices that we have,” said Yusharto.
The indices managed by BSKDN include the Regional Head Leadership Index (IKKD), the Regional Governance Index (ITKPD), the Regional Financial Management Index (IPKD), and the Regional Innovation Index (IID). These instruments serve as an objective basis in formulating measurable and accountable policy recommendations.
Meanwhile, Yusharto also explained that best practices that have been proven can be strong evidence in the policy-making process. In this context, innovation is a key element in building evidence-based policy. Successful innovations that have a real impact can be highlighted as a reference for broader policy.
Furthermore, he said that BSKDN together with the State Administration Institute (LAN) also manage and develop the Functional Position of Policy Analyst. The strengthening of the role of policy analysts has a strong legal basis, including through Law Number 20 of 2023 concerning State Civil Servants (ASN) and its implementing regulations, which regulate the hierarchy and career development of the functional position.
According to Yusharto, policy analysts basically serve as think tanks for regional governments. They are at the forefront in answering fundamental questions about what policies should be taken based on the actual problems faced by the region.
Given that strengthening the capacity of policy analysts is also part of the agenda of bureaucratic reform towards a world-class bureaucracy. Through improving the quality of policy analysis, regional governments are expected to be able to produce policies that are adaptive, progressive, and have a real impact on improving public services and community welfare.
For this reason, Yusharto affirmed that the development of policy analysts will continue to be carried out systematically and sustainably, in line with the vision of realizing a modern, professional, and knowledge-based governance system.
Meanwhile, with the strengthening of regional think tanks and the optimization of data-based measurement instruments, Yusharto is optimistic that public policy in the regions will be more effective, measurable, and able to answer development challenges comprehensively.