Forestry Ministry Promotions Based on Competence, Not Connections, Says Minister
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has stressed his commitment to building a merit system within the Ministry of Forestry as the foundation for bureaucratic reform. He stated that the promotion and career development of civil servants must be based on capacity, competence, and performance, not on personal connections or specific backgrounds.
The minister made these remarks while inaugurating managerial and non-managerial officials and administering the oath of office to civil servants within the Ministry of Forestry on Wednesday (8/7).
“I am continuously striving to build a merit system, a meritocracy, in this ministry. We are trying to create an objective talent pool based on merit, based on a person’s capacity and performance, not on their ethnicity, religion, or where they come from,” said Minister Raja Antoni.
“This system is not yet perfect, but I hope it will become my legacy, together with the Deputy Minister. I want my colleagues and juniors who work well to be recorded digitally through our platform, accessible to all, so that someone is deemed worthy of appointment based on facts, without needing to know the minister or deputy minister,” he continued.
According to Minister Raja Antoni, bureaucratic reform is not only about changing organisational structures but also about transforming work culture. He noted that this process is not always easy and may cause some turbulence.
“You are the most important part of this change process. Let us continue to work to organise the ministry to be better, to preserve the forests, to ensure development continues, and to improve community welfare,” he said.
Furthermore, the minister encouraged all civil servants to continuously improve themselves through both formal and informal learning. He stated that the Ministry of Forestry will continue to strengthen human resource development, including providing educational opportunities and scholarships to prepare future forestry leaders.
“Never stop learning. Learning is not only through formal education but also from leaders, colleagues, and subordinates. As a minister, I myself never stop learning so that every decision taken is truly based on a comprehensive understanding,” he said.